Australia Donates 38,550 Tonnes Wheat to Bangladesh
Dhaka, Monday, 10 September 2007: The Australian High Commissioner in Dhaka Mr. Douglas Foskett handed over 38,550 tonnes of wheat worth $A 14 million (Taka. 78.2 Crore) to the Government of Bangladesh to support its food based programs for ultra poor people. Mr. Shafiqul Islam, Joint Secretary, Ministry of the Food and Disaster Management received the Australian donation on behalf the Government of Bangladesh at a handing over ceremony at the Chittagong Port yesterday. Mr. Edward Kallon, Deputy Country Representative of World Food Programme (WFP) in Bangladesh and Mr. Peter Duncan-Jones, First Secretary, Development Cooperation, Australian High Commission attended the ceremony.
“This contribution is a continuation of Australia’s long standing support to Bangladesh for improving food security of ultra poor people and nutrition of primary school children”, said Mr. Foskett at the handing over ceremony. “This will also support skill development training for more than 100,000 families to help them find sustainable livelihood options to overcome poverty”, he added. “I am pleased that we have been able to hand over this contribution immediately after the flood when Bangladesh is in need of additional food supply”, he continued.
Mr. Shafiqul Islam thanked the Government of Australia for their generous support to improve food security and nutrition of the most vulnerable group of people in Bangladesh since after independence.
The Australian food contribution will be used for the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) and School Feeding program of the Government of Bangladesh implemented in partnership with WFP for management and technical support. This will help 550,000 poor people to meet their food and nutritional needs through VGD program. In addition, 93,400 primary schoolchildren will be provided with nutrient-fortified biscuits to reduce short-term hunger, increase their attention span in class, and improve learning and nutrition. In total 643,400 beneficiaries will be assisted with the 38,550 MT food provided by Government of Australia.
“We thank the Australian Government and people for their support to the people of Bangladesh. Australia has been a generous food aid donor to Bangladesh since independence in 1971.” said Mr. Edward Kallon.
For more information, please contact:
Douglas Broderick
WFP Representative, Bangladesh
Tel: +880-2-8116344, 8119064-73
M. Emamul Haque
Head, Advocacy Unit, WFP, Bangladesh Tel: +880-2-8116344, 8119064-73, Ext 2189, Cell: 0171-301-3983
S Farhana Rahman
Political and Economic Research Officer
Australian High Commission, Dhaka
Phone: 8813105