MYANMAR: WFP to launch food-for-work programme

[Dover]

Source: Reuters

YANGON, 26 December 2008 (IRIN) - The UN World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with its implementing partners, will soon begin an ambitious food-for-work programme for thousands of Cyclone Nargis survivors. The programme aims to rehabilitate local assets and restore livelihoods in affected communities, and will target 40,000 participants and 200,000 beneficiaries in Myanmar's badly affected Ayeyarwady Delta.

"Food-for-work activities can make a significant difference to food-insecure residents of the delta, and at the same time help households rebuild their individual and community assets," Chris Kaye, WFP country director for Myanmar, told IRIN in Yangon, the former Burmese capital. WFP is currently screening projects proposed by its partners, with expected project sites to be announced soon.

The programme is set to begin at the end of January and run till the end of April, with a focus on the construction, repair and maintenance of roads, and the construction of wells, dykes, dams, ponds and drainage ditches. Reforestation, land clearance and irrigation projects will also be included. Individual projects will last 15-45 days. These activities will play a critical role in restoring food security in the wake of Nargis, which left close to 140,000 people dead or missing in May 2008.

"From this programme, each participant will receive 4kg of rice per day as family rations," Zin Aung Swe, a WFP programme assistant, explained. Participants will include those left particularly vulnerable by Nargis, including landless farmers, jobless day labourers and female-headed households. Cash-for-work Plans are also under way to implement a cash-for-work programme in a few months time in the cyclone-affected townships of Yangon Division, including Kunchangone Township...>

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/8d28078455a5d594a935e68efe5ca370.htm

[Robbien]

1. What a great idea

And why hasn't it been used before. Most poor nations would benefit from this kind of program.

Hopefully the developments stay with the people instead of being confiscated by the elite.

[ohio2007]

2. a quart of rice for a days wages. No work, no food. It use to be called

slavery but it is a step up for 3rd world regions... which seem to be spreading

question is,
which countries are going to donate the rice crops as wage 'carrots' and who overseas distribution?
the elite ?
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/06/un.myanmar.ap/index.html#cnnSTCText

Sounds like history repeating, another Somalia war lord distribution food program in the making.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1866404,00.html

[sandnsea]

3. no shit

Argh. Some days it seems pointless to take the energy to respond to some of this stuff.

On edit:
This response isn't directed at you, it is commiserating with the obvious concept of food for work, administered by the elite, being slavery and the Somalian like problems it will obviously create.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Five will get you ten: The junta will demand a piece of the action or

. . . throw the aid workers of of the country.