BSS, Rangpur :
More transparency and accountability in selection of beneficiaries and distribution of food assistance under vulnerable group development (VGD) programme could ensure food security of the poor and distressed women.
Speakers said this at a public hearing on ‘Social Safety Net Programme VGD’ organised by Thakurgaon Unit of RDRS Bangladesh at Munshirhat Girls’ High School ground under Debipur union in Sadar upazila of Thakurgaon on Thursday afternoon.
They also stressed for enhanced participation of the organisations of small and marginal farmers in social safety-net activities, food security governance and policy-making process to improve livelihoods and ensure food security of the extremely poor.
The NGO organised the public hearing under the ongoing five year term Improving Food Security Governance in South & Southeast Asia through Strengthened Participation of Organisations of Marginalised Farmers Regional Project.
The regional project is being implemented in Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Myanmar to improve livelihood of 10.20 lakh marginalised households, including ethnic communities, with assistance of European Union and Dan Church Aid.
A total of 260 males and females, including 30 VGD beneficiaries, and members of Debipur Union Federation of RDRS Bangladesh and common people of the area took part in the public hearing and asked various questions.
Acting Chairman of Debipur union Md Kamirul Islam attended the occasion and answered various questions asked by the participants as the chief guest with Chairman of Debipur Union Federation Habibur Rahman in the chair.
Project Manager of the Food Security Governance Project of RDRS Bangladesh Mahfuz Alam and its Agriculture Officer of the Food Security Governance Project for Thakurgaon Mahfuzur Rahman also addressed.
The participants asked various questions on the selection process for beneficiaries of the VGD programme, minimum age limit of beneficiaries, monitoring and supervision process of the VGD activities by the government officials and other related issues.
Responding to the questions, the chief guest admitted some limitations in the selection process and assured of ensuring complete transparency and accountability in selecting beneficiaries for the VGD programme in future.
In their speeches, officials of RDRS Bangladesh narrated good governance for food security, rights to information for good governance, types and strategies of community advocacy to attain these rights, local service providing institutions and their services.
They discussed the national food policy-2006 and the government’s massive social safety-net programmes with budgetary allocations and role of the government and related laws for proper implementation of the programmes to ensure food security of the poor.
