This paper reviews the literature on the macroeconomic impact of natural disasters and presents the IMF’s role in assisting countries coping with natural catastrophes. Focusing on seven country cases, the paper describes the emergency financing, policy support, and technical assistance...

This paper examines Sierra Leone’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) Preparation Status Report. The government of Sierra Leone submitted its last PRSP preparation status report to the Executive Boards of the IMF and the World Bank in June 2003. However, the projected completion date...

This paper examines Congo’s Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP). Congo’s I-PRSP explains the features and causes of poverty in Congo. It provides a short- and medium-term vision of development as well as a strategic orientation for a return to sustainable and equitable growth....

The Gambian authorities produced two Annual Progress Reports (APRs) covering implementation of the first Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) during 2002–03 and 2004, respectively. This addendum is organized around four of the main themes of the first PRSP: (i) macroeconomic stability...

Liberia’s Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy (iPRS) sets out the emerging process and framework for recovery and reconstruction in the context of post-conflict Liberia. The iPRSP sets out the national socio-economic context, the preparatory process, dimensions of the emerging policy,...

This document presents a profile of poverty, and indicates briefly the stakes and challenges involved, using available quantitative and qualitative data to specify the targeted objectives to be reached. Actions to be taken are then positioned within a macroeconomic framework for which short- and...

This paper discusses Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) 2007–11 for The Gambia. PRSP II builds on the long-term development Vision 2020 of The Gambia. It also takes cognizance of the fact that implementation of PRSP I suffered from revenue shortfalls as the IMF suspended its program...

This paper discusses Romania’s Request for a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). Since the 2008 global financial crisis, Romania has made significant progress in reducing macroeconomic imbalances and rebuilding fiscal and financial buffers. However, Romania remains vulnerable to external shocks,...

The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) describes The Gambia’s macroeconomic, structural, and social policies in support of growth and poverty reduction, external financing needs, and major sources of financing. Since PRSP I had experienced some setbacks during its implementation,...

The question of what makes fiscal decentralization work is faced by many policymakers around the world. This book draws on both the relevant literature and policy and technical advice provided by the IMF to a wide range of member countries, and discusses the key factors that help make...