by Meri Helleranta A rapid response and partnerships between the Haitian Government and key institutions, including the IDB, helped to curb the cholera epidemic, decreasing the number of new cases per week from 14,000 in January 2011 to fewer than 1,000 a year later. Five years ago, in October 2010, Haiti was hit by a serious cholera epidemic. Coming only nine months … [Read more...] about When Cholera Strikes: A Coordinated Emergency and Longer-Term Response
What does the IDB Group do to improve the environmental and social impact of private investment?
by IDB Group private sector specialists* The IDB Group applies a variety of tools while projects are being designed and implemented to ensure the beneficial social and environmental impacts of their projects with private sector clients. Nowadays, many firms are realizing that pursuing business objectives and achieving social and environmental impact are mutually … [Read more...] about What does the IDB Group do to improve the environmental and social impact of private investment?
Knowledge without borders
by Joaquim Tres Training and reducing trade costs improve regional integration and competitiveness in Latin America and the Caribbean. Truck driver Eduardo Escobar regularly drives his containers across the border between El Salvador and Honduras at the El Amatillo crossing. Just like him, 200 truck drivers cross the border each day. But while carrying out the … [Read more...] about Knowledge without borders
UC Berkeley and IDB partner to improve impact evaluation of projects
With over 3,743 investment projects approved during the last 5 years in Latin America, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the largest and oldest multilateral lender in the region. In order to address pressing development challenges within the 26 borrowing member countries, the IDB has invested billions in project design, implementation, and evaluation. As a result … [Read more...] about UC Berkeley and IDB partner to improve impact evaluation of projects
Best invention ever? Hands down, the washing machine … after electricity, of course
By Irani Arraiz* Imagine life without access to electricity. No TV, no fridge, no washing machine! (Have you ever had to consistently wash all your clothes by hand?) When I was a child, I spent summers in my grandpa’s ranch in the plains in Venezuela, without access to electricity (because of the ridiculously low population density). I loved being in contact with … [Read more...] about Best invention ever? Hands down, the washing machine … after electricity, of course