Release number IFAD/37/07 Rome, 27 August 2007 – A new US$7.2 million National Programme for Sustainable Human Development in the Comoros will assist farmers and fishers to raise their incomes and food security. Much-needed natural resource management practices will be introduced by the programme to improve productivity for the 20,000 families living in poor, environmentally fragile areas of the islands of Anjouan, Grande Comore and Mohéli. The National Programme for Sustainable Human Development will be funded largely by a grant of US$4.6 million from IFAD. The programme is cofinanced by the Global Environment Facility and the Comoros diaspora, which will contribute US$1.0 million and US$1.2 million, respectively. The grant agreement was signed by Lennart Båge, President of IFAD and Mohamed Ali Soilihi, Minister of Finance representing the Comoros Union. As a country with a high risk of debt distress, the Comoros is eligible for IFAD grant assistance, which replaces loans with grants for those countries considered unsuitable to sustain debt. The debt sustainability framework is part of a unified effort on the part of the world's biggest multilateral financial institutions to ensure that essential financial assistance does not cause financial hardship to those countries that are most in need. The programme will introduce a system of terraces and ‘live fences’ in water catchment areas to help preserve soil fertility and prevent silting. Over time these measures will also allow the marine resources to regenerate. Land rehabilitation interventions will be underpinned by the introduction of sustainable local land management practices and environmental conservation. The programme will also help revitalize agricultural training centres under a new more efficient and participatory type of management. Farmers and fishers will receive training in new technologies for improved yields and product diversification. The Comorian diaspora and their organizations will contribute funds to the programme, in partnership with the Mutuelles d'épargne et de credit ya komor (MECKs), which was set up by a previous IFAD project 10 years ago and is now the second largest bank in the country. Benoît Thierry, IFAD’s country programme manager for the Comoros says, "There is an innovative aspect in this programme. Migrants and their organizations will raise funds for local development and become involved in community as well as economic projects. About one third of all Comorians are currently working abroad. In 2003 remittances sent back to the country amounted to a staggering US$36.4 million, not including the transfer of goods. We will support the channelling of some of that economic wealth into local development initiatives.” The programme will initially be implemented in selected pilot areas, and then replicated and extended to other areas through a knowledge management and communication system. IFAD has previously financed four loan operations in Comoros for a total commitment of US$11.8 million. All four programmes and projects are now completed.
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