World bank grants $95 mln loan to Algeria to fight rural poverty
Algeria, Economics, 5/1/2003

WASHINGTON, Apr.30 (MAP)- The World Bank approved on Tuesday a US$95 million loan to Algeria to generate employment in low-income rural areas northwest and north-central Algeria, the WB announces in a release.

This Second Rural Employment Project follows a first rural employment project in north-west Algeria that succeeded increasing employment and farmers' income and reducing soil erosion.

A study based on 1995 data revealed that 70 percent of the poor in Algeria live in rural areas (19 per cent of the rural population, equivalent to a total of 2,7 million people).

The Rural Employment Plan addresses the immediate problem of unemployment by creating jobs using labor-intensive civil works for natural resource management with emphasis on controlling soil erosion.

Another aspect of the project is to capture and manage existing water resources to relieve risks associated with rainfed production, expand small scale irrigation and make clean potable water available to the rural population.

The Rural Employment project is consistent with the World Bank's strategy and the Middle East and North Africa region's strategy that tackles the social problems of poverty and unemployment, addresses gender issues, promotes diversification and encourages private small and medium enterprises. (MAP)OB

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