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On the 29 th of January 2007 , the Government of Japan has decided to contribute nine-hundred forty eight thousand and two hundred US dollars (US$948,200) through the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security project to fund ‘Support for ex-poppy farmers and poor and vulnerable families in border areas' Project in Myanmar . The project will be implemented by World Food Program (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with cooperation of the Government of the Union of Myanmar.
In Shan border areas, many poor farmers made their living by growing poppy for decades. But after growing poppy was banned within the Myanmar Government's effort to eradicate narcotic drugs, those ex-poppy farmers have long struggled to find alternative new livelihood and suffered severe poverty and food shortage. Therefore, the object of this project is to help them find new way of gaining income and improve the socio-economic situation in those areas. The details of the project are as follows;
• Help children attend schools and adults learn necessary skills for new employment through ‘Food for Work' and ‘Food for Training' Scheme, while improving food security of their families.
(Some of the primary schools will also be renovated.)
• Increase food production and productivity of the farmers in the areas through introducing alternative crops for poppy and advanced agricultural technology.
• Give the necessary skills for new employment through agricultural and marketable skill training.
• Giving non-formal education, ex. Improving literacy, for women and teenage girls who can't afford formal education.
• Improve health and females situation through dissemination of information on health/ hygiene, HIV/AIDS and gender issues.
This project is important not only in terms of fulfilling humanitarian needs in the said areas, but also eradication of narcotic drugs, because it is expected to facilitate residents earn their new living without going back to their old livelihood.
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