ICRR 10049 Report Number : ICRR10049 ICR Review Operations Evaluation Department 1. Project Data : OEDID: OEDID : C2625 Project ID : P035914 Project Name : Cyclone Emergency Rehabilitation Country : Madagascar Sector : Other Non-sector Specific L/C Number : C2625 Partners involved : Swiss Co-operation Agency Prepared by : Alcira Kreimer, OEDST Reviewed by : Hernan Levy Group Manager : Roger Slade Date Posted : 06/24/1998 2. Project Objectives, Financing, Costs and Components : The main project objectives were (i) to support the physical and economic rehabilitation of the areas damaged by two cyclones by providing assistance to promptly restore essential facilities; (ii) to develop measures to minimise potential damage from future natural disasters; and (iii) to support appropriate methods to protect the immediate environment of transport infrastructure . The total cost of the IDA-financed program was estimated at US$ 12.7 million, with an additional US$ 6 million financed by the Government and reallocation from other eight operations . Components included rehabilitation of roads, public buildings, coastal defenses, port of Tomasina, urban streets, protection against floods in agricultural areas and irrigation schemes, watershed protection and a risk management study, and strengthening of the National Co -ordination Committee 3. Achievement of Relevant Objectives : Most of the physical components of the project were completed and all studies were undertaken as planned . 4. Significant Achievements : Despite delays in the rehabilitation of some facilities, the ERP was successful in ensuring a quick resumption of economic activity, allowing for increased reliability and productivity . Institutional capacity in cyclone preparedness and mitigation was strengthened . 5. Significant Shortcomings : There were significant delays in the rehabilitation of schools as the process was hampered by cumbersome procurement procedures, weak capacity of contractors involved, and difficult access to schools in remote areas . The rehabilitation of the health centers was also hampered by cumbersome procurement procedures . The rehabilitation of administrative buildings failed to proceed as targeted due to deficiencies in the decision -making process and insufficient commitment from the executing agency . The prospects for effective implementation of the findings of a study on watershed protection and risk management appear limited due to lack of funding . 6. Ratings : ICR OED Review Reason for Disagreement /Comments Outcome : Satisfactory Satisfactory Institutional Dev .: Partial Modest Sustainability : Uncertain Uncertain Bank Performance : Satisfactory Satisfactory Borrower Perf .: Satisfactory Satisfactory Quality of ICR : Satisfactory 7. Lessons of Broad Applicability : The main lessons are as follows : (i) successful implementation of emergency recovery projects hinges on the responsiveness of the project design to Government's expectations and population needs; (ii) sustainability of works in a country subject to frequent cyclone damage call for early agreements on arrangements to ensure future operation and maintenance of infrastructure work; (iii) up-front commitments to rapid procurement are key; and (iv) early agreements on the overall reconstruction strategy and plans for donor co -ordination are essential. 8. Audit Recommended? Yes No Why? The project exemplifies some of the typical issues that are faced by emergency operations . The audit should particularly focus on the efforts to reduce the vulnerability of Madagascar, a country that is periodically subject to similar extreme events . The ICR notes that in the absence of arrangements to ensure sustainability and damage prevention, reconstruction projects in a country subject to frequent cyclone damage may not be cost-effective. This is a key issue for the audit . 9. Comments on Quality of ICR : The ICR is satisfactory. It provides a complete view of relevant issues during project implementation and it includes the view of the borrower (in French, no translation provided ).