5 pc destitute and 31pc ultra-poor in country
Workshop at Gaibandha told
Our Correspondent, Gaibandha
Seventeen percent of the country's population is 'moderate poor', 31 per cent ultra poor and five per cent is destitute. This was stated by speakers at a workshop here, quoting statistics prepared by the World Bank and the government's Bureau of Statistics. The workshop was organised jointly by two NGOs -- Media Professionals Group and BRACto discuss co-operation among government agencies, NGOs and local people for poverty alleviation. Gaibandha Deputy Commi-ssioner Mujibur Rahman, Police Superintendent Bhanu Lal Das, Civil Surgeon Habibur Rahman also attended the workshop, held at Gaibandha Public Library hall. Besides officials, the speakers included representatives of professional groups including teachers, doctors, journalists and NGO men. They evaluated different poverty alleviation programmes taken up by BRAC in Gaibandha. BRAC's programmes including poultry farming, cow and goat rearing, horticulture, small trade, vegetable gardening and animal fattening have brought changes in the life of ultra poor women, the speakers said. BRAC officials said they had started the programme in January 2002 with 5000 ultra poor women. Now the projects cover over 25000 women. The number will be increased to 70,000 by next year, they said.
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