Cyclone Chido triggered first payout under World Bank's Repair program

By Henry Gale

March 14 - (The Insurer) - Comoros became the first country to receive financial support under a new disaster risk transfer scheme after Cyclone Chido hit in December, the World Bank has said.

The payout from the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Inclusive Recovery (Repair) program was used by Comoros' government to distribute emergency relief to families affected by the cyclone. This included food, water, temporary shelters and emergency kits.

The World Bank announced the Repair program in July last year, covering Comoros, Madagascar and Mozambique in its first phase. The climate risk fund includes several financial instruments, such as reserves, contingent financing and parametric insurance, to support eastern and southern African countries after shocks of various frequency and severity.

The World Bank did not disclose which financial instrument was activated for Comoros after Cyclone Chido, nor the value of the payout it received.

In a blog post, the World Bank said the cyclone caused flooding, landslides and blackouts in the Comorian islands of Anjouan and Mohéli. It added that families were left homeless and crops were severely damaged.

"The coordination between ministries, civil protection agencies, and local communities was instrumental in delivering aid effectively—whether to households, farmers, or small firms that play a key role in the recovery process," it said.

The payout has encouraged Comoros and other countries in the region to increase their investment in climate resilience, the World Bank said.

Repair is implemented by regional risk pool the African Risk Capacity, and backed by a $926 million envelope from the International Development Association, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Global Shield Financing Facility.