Italian govt urged to fund poverty alleviation projects

PESHAWAR: The local communities in Buner, Chitral, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Bajaur Agency have urged the Italian government to release second installment of the poverty programme it has been funding through the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Programme.

The poverty alleviation programme was being implemented through various civil society organisations in these areas. The programme is aimed at reducing poverty through an integrated poverty reduction initiative. It builds community organisations and implements infrastructure, education, health and social protection programmes. The community members said hundreds of communities were involved in these programmes, which had

progressed satisfactorily for a year. However, funding had been held up for a year by the Italian government.