The World Bank Group has reached a settlement with the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) concerning conduct related to two projects: the Bhutan Hydromet Services and Disaster Resilience Regional Project and the Climate Adaptation and Resilience for South Asia Project. RIMES is an intergovernmental organization providing early warning services to its member countries.
As part of the settlement, RIMES faces an 18-month conditional non-debarment. This allows it to remain eligible for participation in projects financed by the World Bank Group, provided it adheres to obligations under the agreement. RIMES acknowledged responsibility for sanctionable practices and committed to enhancing its integrity compliance-related internal controls.
The Bhutan Project aimed to improve Bhutan's capacity for hydromet services and disaster preparedness. The CARE Project sought to foster climate-resilient policies in South Asia. Under these projects, RIMES replaced a key expert without prior approval in Bhutan and charged higher salaries than paid out in South Asia, keeping the difference as revenue—both actions were deemed sanctionable.
The agreement highlights RIMES' cooperation with INT, acknowledgment of responsibility, voluntary remediation, and steps taken to improve integrity compliance measures. It requires RIMES to meet specific integrity compliance conditions for release from non-debarment, including developing measures aligned with World Bank Integrity Compliance Guidelines. Additionally, RIMES commits to ongoing cooperation with the World Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency.