Both the institutions Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a strategic alliance to alleviate poverty and food insecurity in the economically backward regions. Dominique Hyde, officer-in-charge of WFP-Nepal, and Raj Babu Shrestha, executive director of PAF, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions. [break]
As per the agreement, WFP and PAF will collaborate to provide food and nutrition assistance by engaging beneficiaries in income generating and community infrastructure projects through food or cash-for-work.
They have agreed to include programs like small scale irrigation, cash crop plantation, enhanced farming techniques and poultry farming under the joint assistance. WFP also will also provide training assistance for the benefit of member community organizations of PAF.
“The alliance between the Poverty Alleviation Fund and WFP Nepal, together with the commitment of the government of Nepal, demonstrates something can and is being done to empower the rural poor and end the trap of hunger and poverty that has plagued the lives of people in the mid and far-western hills and mountains,” Dominique said after singing the agreement.
The strategic alliance between the two organizations is expected to pave the way for a new model of reaching and assisting the poorest and most vulnerable communities in those regions where household agriculture is hardly sufficient for three to five months of the year.
“This partnership is about two organizations with significant on-the-ground capacity and experience to effectively reach the most vulnerable and isolated communities in this country,” said Vidyadhar Mallik, vice chairperson of PAF Nepal.
Meanwhile, WFP and Ministry of Local Development have signed a pact that will see WFP receiving $35.8 million to help the government provide a social safety net in mid and far-western hills.
“With this arrangement, the World Bank, WFP, PAF and the Ministry of Local Development are sending a clear message to the poorest and most isolated communities of the those areas that they will not be forgotten and that tangible peace dividends will reach them in the form of improved livelihoods and reduced poverty and hunger,” said Dominique.
WFP provides food, cash or micronutrient supplementation in exchange for work on agriculture and livelihood improvement projects that will benefit 1.6 million Nepalis in 2010.
The first phase of collaboration will begin in 16 VDCs in Mugu, Jumla and Bajura districts. PAF is supporting poor communities of these VDCs to pursue different income generation and infrastructure related activities for the last five years.
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