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THE WORLD BANK IN SOUTH ASIA - MARCH 2005
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http://www.worldbank.org/sar

THE WORLD BANK RESPONDS: TSUNAMI RECOVERY

India: Counting the Cost
India Needs US$1.2 billion For Tsunami Recovery and Reconstruction
ADB, World Bank and UNDP Publish Joint Damage and Needs Assessment
An in-depth look at what it will take to rebuild lives
http://www.worldbank.org/in

Maldives Needs US$304 million for Recovery

Sri Lanka: World Bank Support For Recovery Reaches US$150 Million

World Bank Tsunami Site
Visit this joint effort between the East Asia/Pacific and South Asia regions of the World Bank.  Multimedia features and the latest on the World Bank's response to the 2004 tsunami.
http://www.worldbank.org/tsunami
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World Bank in South Asia - Reaching Out to Youth
The World Bank hosts open houses this month around the region - and co-sponsors a youth conference in New Delhi. Learn more at
http://www.worldbank.org/saryouth
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World Bank in South Asia Launches Water Topic Site

http://www.worldbank.org/sarwater
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FEATURED PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Afghanistan: State Building, Sustaining Growth, and Reducing Poverty (pdf)
Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world in terms
of both per capita incomes and social indicators,with large gender gaps. The difficult challenge of poverty reduction is made even more difficult by continuing insecurity,weak rule of law, and narcotics.Worsening security in many parts of the country threatens to derail reconstruction, undermine state building efforts, delay parliamentary elections and adversely affect other aspects of political normalization, reduce private sector activity, and keep it in the informal/illicit economy.

India: Clean Household Energy - Reducing Risks to Public Health 
Burning biomass fuels - wood, dung, crop wastes - represents the third-highest threat to public health in India.  Women and children in rural areas are disproportionately affected.

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NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Bangladesh: Rickshaw Rehabilitation/Dhaka Urban Transport Project

Nepal: World Bank Statement

Pakistan: World Bank Provides US$123 Million Loan To Rehabilitate and Modernize Taunsa Barrage

Sri Lanka Call for Small Grants Proposals

comments, suggestions - contact:

Jim Rosenberg
Multimedia Editor / South Asia
(202) 473-2767
http://www.worldbank.org/sar
The World Bank
Washington DC 20433