Bhutan: Austria supports farmers to mitigate disaster caused by floods
New Delhi, 13 October 2009 - In order to ensure their food security the Austrian Development Cooperation will compensate farmers in Bhutan who lost their properties during the floods on 25 and 26 May 2009, precipitated by Cyclone Aila.
The grant of € 500.000 will focus on the following areas:
• damage to agricultural properties,
• damage to livestock and
• repair of water supply and irrigation channels.
The assistance will be carried out in the form of cash compensation for the crop damages and the loss of livestock to the affected rural farmers. Additionally, the assistance is also used to support the renovation of 32 irrigation channels and 2 water supply schemes in the areas mostly affected.
The damage occurred in 12 out of the total 20 Dzongkhags (districts) of Bhutan, primarily in areas of high altitude with severe climatic conditions and high poverty rates. Agriculture and livestock are the main livelihoods of the affected rural population.
