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Press
Release 26 April 2000
WFP responds to drought in
Rajasthan "World
Food Programme (WFP) offers Rs. 11 million worth Food" WFP
has agreed to release 1500 MT of food grains for undertaking food-for-work
schemes in Dungarpur, Sirohi, Rajsamand and Banswara districts in response to
the drought. This will be in addition to the regular WFP activities in
Rajasthan. The food for work activities will be implemented through the
Forest Department in coordination with the District Administration. WFP
has been supporting food for work projects since 1963 in Rajasthan. Annually
4,480 MT of commodities are provided for regular forest related food-for-work
activities. Workers are provided food as part wages for which a small amount
is deducted from their wages. The food they receive is worth three times the
amount deducted. This amount called generated funds will be kept in a
separate bank account, which will be used for development of their own
villages. Around 22.5 million rupees will be generated annually in Rajasthan.
The development activities are planned by the villagers themselves through
village development committees. The biggest felt need of the people has been
improved water management structures. Usually they are small projects, such
as stop-dams, tube wells and culverts, which not only increase their
agricultural production but also help to recharge the ground water and
increase the water table. These are very good examples of water management,
which can prevent drought conditions to a great extent. In
addition WFP provides substantive support to the Integrated Child Development
Services Scheme in the state by providing annually about 13000 MT of
fortified blended food for 700,000 women and children. This project will cost
around Rs.15.5 crores.
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