News Headline: Donors for resumption of dev aid for CHT

News text:

Donors have suggested resumption of development assistance for the Chittagong Hill Tracts(CHT). The level of safety and security is satisfactory torecommend resumption of aid,Michael Heyn, leader of a government-UNDP risk assessment team told newsmen here yesterday after a nine-day visit to the CHT.The team included donor's representatives and high civil and
military officials of the government.

Development assistance for CHT was suspended following kidnapping of three European engineers there in February 16 last year by some tribal people. They were rescued by the army one month later. The team visited the CHT areas extensively and met local political leaders and cross-sections of people including leaders of tribesmen and Bangalee settlers, he said. "We also met all segments of the political spectrum".

Heyn said the team classified the CHT in three categories. Out of total 27 upazilas, 22 are "low risk" and four are "medium risk" areas. Only one upazila --Mahalchhari-- is "high risk" area, he said.

Mahalchhari is adjacent to Naniarchar upazila in Rangamati from where the three foreigners supervising a Danish-aided road construction project were kidnapped. About 30 people are now on trial for their involvement in the kidnapping, Heyn said at the press conference held at the foreign office.

Asked when the aid will resume, he said it will be taken up with the government and the donors. Team member Jorgen Lissner, resident representative of UNDP,said his organisation is ready to release funds totaling 4.3 million US dollars, now in the pipeline, for a Sustainable Environment Management Programme and another 3.5 million dollars for new projects for poverty alleviation and job creation with the involvement of local communities. "It will be a beginner".

Answering a question Heyn said they have outlined a development agenda for the 1.3million people of CHT. It includes creation of employment for the young, development of agro-based industries, health and social services and improvement of rural infrastructures. "We spent a lot of time visiting the institutions which will look after development activities",Heyn said.

They also had talks with officials of the CHT Affairs Ministry, CHT Regional Council, hill district councils and leaders of other local government bodies. Heyn said the team has also recommended a risk management system and steps for strengthening law enforcing authorities in the CHT.

He said involvement of local communities is key to long term security and a bottom up approach to reduce poverty. Besides, the land ownership issue must be solved. All development activities should focus on the poor and on building institutions. Small-scale programmes will benefit them most, he observed.

Mahmud Hasan, DG of South Asia Desk in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also spoke at the press conference.The team included Maj Gen (Rtd) Moinul Hossain Choudhury, former advisor in caretaker government, Salimullah, joint-secretary of CHT Affairs Ministry, the divisional commissioner of Chittagong, the deputy commissioners of the three hill districts and Brig Rafiq from the army.

The visit was coordinated by the UNDP and the ADB.
-end-