Snapshot review of Two World Bank COVID-19 Health support programs in Egypt
Methodology
The programs’ review was designed to be based on the following:
A. A desk review of data available on the 2 world bank support programs:
In assessing stakeholders’ engagement, the status of the project in terms of
implementation, external and internal grievance redress mechanisms (GRMs), and
access to information, the researchers relied on publicly disclosed documentation. The
assessments conducted through a desk review helped with identifying the key gaps in
information available to the public. However, it could not be relied on as a comprehensive
means for holistic review. Hence, the importance of the contextual backdrop of the study,
as it relied on media monitoring as a cross-referencing method to assess the extent to
which the information available could be validated.
B. Solicitation of additional information, assessment of data accessibility and
transparency
Upon the identification of the gaps within the information publicly available, the
researchers attempted to directly contact the World Bank country office with specific
questions regarding the gaps in information. The purpose behind this was to assess
whether information not made publicly available, was accessible upon deliberate request.
C. Practical trials related to the Grievances Redress Mechanisms (GRMs)
With regards to the GRMs, an assessment of the previous World Bank GRM systems was
carried out, coupled with the review of the stated GRM for these projects in the
Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP). The specified GRM was tested out by carrying out
a grievance trial and assessing the response (or lack thereof) and the process that follows
it. Since no information was made available on the specific locations where the projects
were implemented, the review covers the general process of the unified GRM system
operated by the government and, on which the World Bank is resorting for its GRM
process.
If the collected information was deemed insufficient:
D. A comparative analysis including other World Bank supported COVID-19 programs in
comparable countries.
The comparative approach included the methodological rigor that aimed to produce an
assessment of the status of the World Bank COVID-19 Egyptian project in tangent with
the various loans of the same nature. In order to carry out this comparative analysis in a
valid manner, a set of criteria were developed that aimed to hold some variables constant,
so that they hold a plausible comparative weight in analysis. The analysis started with a
MENA regional analysis, which held the most importance, as most of the countries in the
region are more likely to hold similar socio-economic, cultural, and political conditions. The
criteria selected for comparative analysis were the following:
1.
The loan had to be a COVID-19 response in the health sector
3