Silver Spring, Maryland - During
January, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) began a development
project that will benefit nearly 12,000 people in Nicaragua during 2002.
The program will improve food security
by introducing or reinforcing a variety of positive strategies focused
on agriculture, economic development, and health. These strategies include
production of marketable, non-traditional food products, the increased
use of improved grain varieties, technical support in management of land
use and natural resources, assistance in obtaining agricultural items such
as improved seeds, fertilizers, irrigation systems, and marketing services.
Simple business training and cash loans are other economic activities that
will be provided.
Health needs will be met through highly targeted food aid, personalized mentoring, improvement of community water and sanitation systems, and strategic partnerships that focus on maternal and child health.
As part of this program, ADRA will continue to coordinate its activities with other organizations working in the same area. This coordination will identify gaps in services and avoid duplication of effort. Priority will be given to communities that have the highest levels of poverty, have demonstrated commitment, and are under-served. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding this project.
ADRA's target area in the departments of Madriz and Nueva Segovia contains seven municipalities classified by the government of Nicaragua as extremely poor and eight that are highly poor. In addition to poverty affecting the amount of food that a family can obtain, widespread drought followed by hurricane-initiated flooding has decreased available supplies.
Organized in 1990, ADRA Nicaragua has been involved in a variety of programs, including child survival and maternal health, agricultural and natural resource management, and a large number of water and sanitation projects. It also is a key member in a national health network that coordinates mother-child health programs.
Additional information about ADRA can be found on its web site at www.adra.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Norma J Sahlin
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Development Bureau
ADRA International
301-680-6355 (voice)
301-680-6370 (fax)
301-529-0500 (nationwide cell phone)
http://www.adra.org