Fael Khair Program :Agro-Inputs Program for the SIDR cyclone Victim in Bangladesh
The Cyclone SIDR has destroyed human lives, livestock, standing crops, forestry resources, dwelling houses, educational institutions, roads, etc. due to high blow of cyclone SIDR i.e. 210-240 km speed. VOSD has signed an agreement with the Fael Khair Program-FKP-IDB to implement the project “Agro-Inputs Program for the SIDR cyclone Victim in Bangladesh: Fael Khair Program in Barisal, Jhalakathi, Barguna and Bhola Districts among the poor SIDR affected families to recover their damages and losses due to cyclone SIDR in respect of agriculture, livestock, fisheries and for their awareness raising, skill development, creating employment and income generation opportunities through providing interest free micro-credit support for Agro-based inputs to ensure their families’ rehabilitation. After signing, VOSD has been taken initiatives to implement the project activities among the poor cyclone SIDR affected families through involving skilled and experienced staffs and volunteers under the guidance of different committees. The activities have been carried out up to December 31, 2010 according to terms of references of the project implementation plan: Project Goal: Recovery, improvement and upgrade damaged agriculture and non-farm activities of farmers and fishermen and to reduce the long-term negative humanitarian impact and to assist households in rebuilding their livelihoods for future peaceful lives. Target Beneficiaries: 44720 SIDR affected families from farmers, fishermen, small businessmen and cottage industries owners i.e. 268320 beneficiaries. Main activities: a) Agriculture Inputs supports, b) Agricultural equipment supports, c) Livestock Inputs supports, c) Fisheries Inputs supports, d) Small trade and shop owners and e) Fish and Poultry feed sellers supports. Implementation Strategies: VOSD has adopted bottom up participatory implementation strategies and involved 102 core staffs to implement the project. VOSD has maintained close coordination with UPs and Upazilas personnel to identify SIDR affected beneficiaries. The local committee has selected the beneficiaries. VOSD has issued a signature card to all selected beneficiaries and provided micro-credit batch by batch following organizational micro-credit disbursement procedures with an agreement. The realized installments are being revolved among the selected beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries have become aware, trained, organized and skilled and they have self-savings, own capital, running different agriculture activities and own institutions. Total 44720 beneficiaries are involved in agro-based activities, 1077 in Agro Machinery activities, 12389 in livestock activities, 8665 in fisheries, 894 in Replacement of Fishing Net & Boats and 8408 in IGA activities. Gradually they have recovered their damages and losses. Their lives have become easier, improved family economic conditions, have employment opportunities, income earning opportunities and production opportunities, increased their social values, participation in decision makings, empowered, build capacity and have developed gender relations and they are leading normal lives. Most of the beneficiaries have repaid their loan installments and continue activities. Total project fund was BDT.20,45,69,974.00 (3million) has been disbursed. Total recovered amount BDT.401,155,565.
