Member's Documents
Navigating through the Polycrisis: Asian Development Fund 12 and 13 Support to Vulnerable Countries
Published by: Independent Evaluation Department, Asian Development Bank
The evaluation examines ADF 12 (2017–2020) and the first 2 years (2021–2022) of ADF 13. It focuses on the allocation, use, and performance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) concessional assistance primarily for Group A countries, which comprise 10 grants-only and 3 ADF blend countries. The evaluation drew from the ADF 13 midterm review (self-evaluation) and validated and updated its findings on the thematic pool, disaster response facility (DRF+), and the pilot private sector window (PSW). The evaluation also examined the performance-based allocation (PBA) framework and the economic vulnerability premium (EVP) for small island developing states (SIDS). Lastly, the evaluation includes a special chapter on ADF crisis support for the Afghan people and displaced persons from Myanmar in Bangladesh.
In light of the financial challenges caused by climate change, geopolitical tensions, and the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for ADF grants to support recovery efforts and long-term development plans of vulnerable DMCs. The report emphasizes the need for heightened focus on designing, implementing, evaluating, and learning from transformative investments aligned with ADF's thematic priorities, specifically enhancing climate resilience, adaptation, regional cooperation and improving gender outcomes.
