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WASHINGTON – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a package designed to help Armenia protect the poor and support greater human capital development, and also strengthen competitiveness and private sector development. The Second Development Policy Operation (DPO) for Armenia, a loan of US$ 25 million, is the second in a series of three operations designed to support the Government of Armenia in meeting its strategic objectives.

New York: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a donation of $196.6 million from Japan, the largest-ever single contribution to the agency, which will use it to provide essential food and nutritional assistance to millions of needy people in 20 countries in Africa and Asia.

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) commended the Rwandan authorities for satisfactory implementation of the economic program supported under the PSI. Countercyclical fiscal and monetary policies helped to mitigate the impact of the global economic downturn and contributed to a rebound in economic activity. Directors noted that the recovery remains fragile.

New York: On the eve of the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that killed 220,000 Haitians and made 1.5 million others homeless, United Nations humanitarian agencies today looked back at a year of achievements, albeit at times spotty, and forward to the enormous challenges still ahead.

New York: Floods caused by heavy rainfall in Sri Lanka have affected nearly a million people, including more than 127,000 displaced from their homes, the United Nations humanitarian office reported today, quoting figures provided by the Government.

New York: An international team of archaeologists has begun a three-year survey, coordinated by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), of the archaeological ruins of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal.

New York: The United Nations refugee agency said today that there are now some 25,000 Ivorian refugees in neighbouring Liberia, with around 600 people arriving daily after fleeing the post-electoral crisis in their homeland.

WASHINGTON DC — The World Bank Board of Directors today approved a US$17 million International Development Association credit for the Urban Youth Employment Project. The project will develop training and temporary employment opportunities for urban youth in Papua New Guinea to improve their long-term prospects. The Board also approved the US$5 million Flexible and Open Distance Education Project which will focus on increasing the number of out-of-school youth who complete recognized secondary diploma and certificate equivalency programs via distance learning.

New Delhi: Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal , the Union Minister of Water Resources has said that the Government believes in the participatory approach and would engage all stake holders in review of the National Water Policy. He was addressing the inaugural session of the two-day “Consultation meeting with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on Review of National Water Policy” organized by the Ministry of Water Resources , here today.

A Memorial plaque in honour of Indian Indentured Labourers was unveiled today at Kidderpore Dock, Kolkata Port by the Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi, in the presence of Km. Mamata Banerjee, Union Minister for Railways. Shri Ravi in his inaugural remarks acknowledged support of the Ministry of Shipping, the Government of West Bengal and the Kolkata Port Trust in making this Memorial.