MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce the Australian Government will provide a $2.2 million package to support resettlement and peacebuilding activities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region in Bangladesh.
This follows my visit to Bangladesh in February during which I announced that Australia would provide assistance to the peacebuilding process in the region.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts was the location of an armed insurgency for over two decades prior to the signing of an agreement in December 1997 by the Government of Bangladesh and the peak representative body of tribal people living in the area.
The Australian Government will contribute $1.7 million through the World Food Program, $930,000 of which will be used for the WFP's rural development program in the Chittagong Hill Tracts which involves the restoration of infrastructure, particularly bridges.
Australia's assistance will also be used for the WFP's vulnerable groups development program which provides funds for women to take part in non government organisation training and microfinance schemes.
Australia has also provided $500,000 through the Australian Red Cross towards an appeal launched by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC).
Funds raised through the IFRC appeal will provide for health, water and sanitation projects, rehabilitation for disabled people, training for volunteer community and youth groups, and staffing a unit to trace missing people.
Australia was among the first donors to pledge funds to this international appeal and will be the largest contributor.
Funds for these projects are being provided through the Australian Government's overseas aid agency, AusAID, and are consistent with our support for the priority given by the Government of Bangladesh to reintegrating people returning to the Chittagong Hill Tracts and to the building of essential infrastructure that has been absent, destroyed or neglected.
Media contacts:
Innes Willox (Minister's Office) (02) 6277 7500/0411 414695 Keith Scott (AusAID) (02) 6206 4971