WB approves $150m IDA credit
Thursday, 2 December 2010
The World Bank (WB) Tuesday approved a US$ 150 million IDA credit to Bangladesh to create employment opportunities for the extreme poor in rural areas during the lean season and monga period, reports UNB.
One-third of the employment opportunities will benefit poor women.
The "Employment Generation Programme for the Poorest" will provide short term employment to vulnerable households in extreme poverty, and especially to women.
The project will support the ongoing programme of the Government of Bangladesh that builds on previous successes.
"The World Bank places high priority on well-targeted and well-governed safety net programmes to reduce the vulnerability of the poor," said Ellen Goldstein, World Bank country director in Bangladesh.
"Together, the World Bank and the government are expected to create approximately 200 million person-days of employment over a three-year period under this project," she added.
Each year, the project will run for a total of 100 days, spanning two lean seasons, one from October to December and another from March to May when rural day labourers are often out of work.
One-third of the employment opportunities will benefit poor women.
The "Employment Generation Programme for the Poorest" will provide short term employment to vulnerable households in extreme poverty, and especially to women.
The project will support the ongoing programme of the Government of Bangladesh that builds on previous successes.
"The World Bank places high priority on well-targeted and well-governed safety net programmes to reduce the vulnerability of the poor," said Ellen Goldstein, World Bank country director in Bangladesh.
"Together, the World Bank and the government are expected to create approximately 200 million person-days of employment over a three-year period under this project," she added.
Each year, the project will run for a total of 100 days, spanning two lean seasons, one from October to December and another from March to May when rural day labourers are often out of work.