SDF implementing three projects at $101m
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Three important projects, aiming at addressing the country's acute poverty and at rehabilitating people affected by cyclone and flood, are being implemented spending over 101 million US dollars (Tk 6.60 billion) as about 56 million people still live below the poverty line, reports UNB.
The projects are 'Social Investment Programme Project' (SIPP), 'Flood Restoration and Recovery Assistance Pro-gramme' and 'Notun Jibon Cyclone Recovery Programme'.
Social Development Founda-tion (SDF), an autonomous organisation established by the government in 2001, is implementing the three projects with assistance from the World Bank (WB), SDF officials said.
SIPP is being implemented in Jamalpur and Gaibandha districts, reaching benefits to over two million (20 lakh) poor people. It follows Community Driven Development (CDD) approach where the community identifies their requirements and dictates the planning to meet their needs.
Under the project, village institutions have so far been formed in 922 villages of the two districts through the inclusion of women, youths, and the poorest. It has reached over 190,000 poor households, and mobilised them into 14,274 small livelihood groups (Jibikayan Groups) that engage in savings and internal-lending.
"Even in the face of rising food prices and two subsequent floods in 2007 that destroyed household incomes, these groups have accumulated savings amounting to Tk 50 million and provided Tk 33 million as small loans to their group members to finance income-generating activities," said an SDF official.
As the current operation of SIPP has shown success, the government is now preparing a follow-on project to SIPP - Empowerment and Livelihood Project (SIPP II) for Rangpur, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Dinajpur districts. "The work for implementing SIPP II is going on in full swing," the SDF official said.
The poverty rate in Nilphamari, Rangpur and Kurigram districts - often hit by 'monga' - is over 60 per cent, according to official statistics.
SDF along with Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) is implementing the 'Flood Restoration and Recovery Assistance Programme' in the districts devastated by floods in 2007.
In response to the government's request for rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance in the aftermath of the floods, the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) came up with the US$25 million emergency programme.
Some 250 flood-affected villages, including 150 in Jamalpur and 100 in Gaibandha, have been covered under the consolidated phase of SIPP. An additional 100 non-SIPP villages will also be covered. About 150,000 flood-affected families are expected to get direct benefit from the livelihood support activities.
The projects are 'Social Investment Programme Project' (SIPP), 'Flood Restoration and Recovery Assistance Pro-gramme' and 'Notun Jibon Cyclone Recovery Programme'.
Social Development Founda-tion (SDF), an autonomous organisation established by the government in 2001, is implementing the three projects with assistance from the World Bank (WB), SDF officials said.
SIPP is being implemented in Jamalpur and Gaibandha districts, reaching benefits to over two million (20 lakh) poor people. It follows Community Driven Development (CDD) approach where the community identifies their requirements and dictates the planning to meet their needs.
Under the project, village institutions have so far been formed in 922 villages of the two districts through the inclusion of women, youths, and the poorest. It has reached over 190,000 poor households, and mobilised them into 14,274 small livelihood groups (Jibikayan Groups) that engage in savings and internal-lending.
"Even in the face of rising food prices and two subsequent floods in 2007 that destroyed household incomes, these groups have accumulated savings amounting to Tk 50 million and provided Tk 33 million as small loans to their group members to finance income-generating activities," said an SDF official.
As the current operation of SIPP has shown success, the government is now preparing a follow-on project to SIPP - Empowerment and Livelihood Project (SIPP II) for Rangpur, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Dinajpur districts. "The work for implementing SIPP II is going on in full swing," the SDF official said.
The poverty rate in Nilphamari, Rangpur and Kurigram districts - often hit by 'monga' - is over 60 per cent, according to official statistics.
SDF along with Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) is implementing the 'Flood Restoration and Recovery Assistance Programme' in the districts devastated by floods in 2007.
In response to the government's request for rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance in the aftermath of the floods, the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) came up with the US$25 million emergency programme.
Some 250 flood-affected villages, including 150 in Jamalpur and 100 in Gaibandha, have been covered under the consolidated phase of SIPP. An additional 100 non-SIPP villages will also be covered. About 150,000 flood-affected families are expected to get direct benefit from the livelihood support activities.