Bandarban, Thursday, 22 October 2009: Mr. David Hill, Head of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), Bangladesh Mission, highly lauded the active role of WFP in assisting rodent crisis affected communities in remote areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).  | | We are happy to contribute to this project which helps alleviate the suffering of thousands of poor people in the hill districts and provide much needed assistance through livelihoods inputs and a combination of food and cash for work |  | | Mr. David Hill, Head of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), Bangladesh Mission |
“We are happy to contribute to this project which helps alleviate the suffering of thousands of poor people in the hill districts and provide much needed assistance through livelihoods inputs and a combination of food and cash for work, said Mr. Hill who led the 3-member ECHO delegation. The delegation arrived on Tuesday 20 October 2009 on an official visit to see the WFP Rodent Crisis Recovery Programme as well as to learn about the current food security situation. The delegation visited work schemes including roads, school ground raising and bamboo plantation, a training session and food distribution. They also met with key Government Officials, traditional leaders and local community people including the programme beneficiaries. With financial support of EUR 2 million from ECHO, WFP is implementing the second phase of its emergency programme to assist rodent crisis affected communities in remote areas of CHT. The current phase of the programme aims to support the re-establishment of livelihoods and provide food security through a combination of food and cash for work, training in income generating activities and the provision of livelihoods inputs. While interacting with the beneficiaries Ms. Sandra Descroix from ECHO Brussels expressed her satisfaction about the WFP operation and said, “By reaching these remote areas WFP is making a significant impact on the lives of those affected by the rat plague.” Ms. Choi Puri Tanchangya, WFP beneficiary shared her views with the delegation and said, “WFP’s assistance has created work opportunities and provided essential food in the time of need. The training we have received has enriched our skills on homestead gardening and livestock rearing so we can generate more income in future. WFP has created an environment in which we can live.” WFP has been assisting 38,750 beneficiaries in 6 Upazilas of Rangamati and Bandarban districts of CHT since July 2008 through its food and cash for work programme, however the wider community is also greatly benefiting from the schemes as newly constructed, widened and repaired village roads provide much easier access to markets, schools and health facilities. The head of ECHO Mission in Bangladesh added, “ECHO is proud to support the WFP programme in helping the vulnerable poor of CHT to meet their nutritional needs and protect their livelihoods.” Thousands of families in CHT are still struggling to feed themselves after the area was overrun by millions of rats -- a phenomenon known locally as a rat flood. The rat flood, caused by seasonal flowering of bamboo, has destroyed the crops and livelihoods of people in CHT. WFP food assistance is being distributed in collaboration with Government Officials, local NGOs, traditional leaders and community representatives. WFP has been implementing food aid programmes in CHT since 1998. | 
