International development finance is intended to alleviate poverty by sparking inclusive growth. But without strong protections for local communities, it can exclude and disenfranchise instead. World Bank development projects like dams, roads, and power plants can cause devastating harm to people and the planet. Too many have suffered displacement, loss of livelihoods, pollution, destruction of critical natural resources, and more as a result of World Bank-funded projects.
BIC’s interactive, visual microsite explores the stories of individuals and communities living in IDA-funded countries who the World Bank failed to protect. These projects brought terrible hardship to the very people who should have benefited from them.
Donor governments that contribute billions of dollars to the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries, should challenge the World Bank to strengthen its protections for communities and the environment. People living in IDA funded countries are most vulnerable to harmful side effects of development. Without environmental and social safeguards policies that ensure empowerment, not impoverishment, blank checks will continue to fund development failures.