The Ministry of Labour and the UN World Food Programme have signed a new agreement to combat poverty

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Labour and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) have agreed to expand their joint social programmes. The parties signed the relevant technical agreement on 22 June.

The document provides for the implementation of new initiatives in the areas of social protection, support for low-income families and poverty reduction. In particular, it covers the development of the ‘Social Contract’, ‘Paid Public Works’ and ‘Food for Work’ programmes.

Particular attention will be paid to a pilot scheme for providing social assistance based on social contracts involving entrepreneurs. The agreement also provides for food support for personal assistants and educational projects for participants in the ‘Social Contract’ programme.

First Deputy Minister of Labour Kyialbek Dosmatov and Kojiro Nakaya, the representative of the UN World Food Programme in Kyrgyzstan, discussed issues relating to further cooperation.

Kyrgyzstan has been cooperating with the UN WFP since 2009. During this time, dozens of projects have been implemented in the areas of food security, poverty reduction and support for the population in the face of emergencies and climate-related risks.