Emergency Assistance for Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Project

This is the first emergency assistance loan to be processed for the PRC under ADB's Disaster and Emergency Assistance Policy. The project comprised more than 363 subprojects in 23 counties in two provinces, including reconstructing and upgrading rural roads ranging in length from 3 km to 32 km and rebuilding 12 schools. The PMOs (project management offices) and implementing agencies had no experience in implementing ADB projects. Their relatively weak capacity in managing many subprojects resulted in implementation lagging during the first 2 years. The TA (technical assistance)-supported training strengthened the project management capacity and knowledge of ADB policies of the staff of the PMOs and implementing agencies. A special review mission was conducted in both Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces in 2010 to fully coordinate the major reconstruction works and identify the bottlenecks that impede construction progress and resettlement implementation. Further, procurement and disbursement arrangements were also facilitated to ensure timely approval, award of contracts and disbursements.