PRF to spend US$20 million on rural development

(KPL) The Poverty Reduction Fund ((PRF)) will spend US$20 million granted by World Bank and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation on further implementation of next three-year action plan of the poverty reduction programme (phase 2).

The programme will focus on the operation of 1,500 projects in 19 poorest
districts, cover about 1,678 villages of Luang Namtha, Houaphanh, Xieng
Khouang, Savannakhet, Saravane and Champassak provinces.

It expects more than 500,000 people will benefits from the projects running
till 2011.

Mr Sivisay Sayanavongphet, Director General of Poverty Reduction Fund Board
disclosed the action plan at the 11th meeting of Poverty Reduction Fund
Board held in Vientiane Capital on 23 June.

"Next three-year action plan is to concentrate on awareness raising and
community strengthening, enhancement of development and local and district
administration and infrastructure development in four primary sectors in
line with priority communities and other necessary of locals," Mr Sivisay
said.

In addition, the Poverty Reduction Fund will create a number of frameworks
and use necessary tools for awareness raising and environment impact
reduction in communities.
The activities are designed in line with the bilateral financial supporters,
particularly in a number of troubles involving to resettlement, land
utilization and compensation for locals who received impact from development
projects.