U.S. GOVERNMENT DELIVERS WHEAT UNDER NEW FOOD AID PROGRAM

by American Center
October 7, 2010

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1024/us-government-delivers-wheat-under-new-food-aid

The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has delivered 92,380 metric tons of wheat to Bangladesh as part of the U.S. Title II Food Aid Program. The food arrived at the Chittagong Port between September 22 and 28. This shipment is for the first year of the new Food Aid Program that will total $210 million over five years. The program is designed to reduce hunger and improve nutrition in Bangladesh, targeting the most impoverished and malnourished communities.

The food will be used to generate funds to support income opportunities, promote health, hygiene and nutrition, and empower women and girls. This initiative will also promote disaster management systems, such as an early warning system before a natural disaster; educate communities to adapt to climate change, including raising homes to prevent flooding; build infrastructure for communities, including roads, market places, and embankments; and enhance communities' capacity to respond to natural disasters, such as floods and cyclones.

USAID works with the Government of Bangladesh to reach approximately nine million extremely poor and malnourished people. To accomplish this, organizations such as CARE, Save the Children and ACDI/VOCA will implement the programs in three different areas: (1) Through SHOURHARDO II, CARE will implement the program in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong Divisions; (2) Through Nobo Jibon, Save the Children will implement the program in the Barisal Division; and (3) Through PROSHAR, ACDI/VOCA will implement the program in the Khulna Division.

These programs are an important part of USAID's mission in Bangladesh. USAID administers programs in five key areas: improving health and pre-primary education; creating income opportunities for rural poor; supporting good governance; enhancing food security; and strengthening disaster preparedness and providing emergency assistance following natural disasters. Since 1971, the U.S. Government has provided more than $5 billion in assistance to Bangladesh.

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