PRIME is the abbreviation of Programmed Initiative for Monga Eradication program. Monga is the local name of disaster which is a crisis occurring almost each year during September & October with varying degree of intensity in northern part of Bangladesh, especially in the district of Kurigram, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Rangpur. Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) has been initiated the PRIME program through its partner organization (POs) working in Monga affected area since 2006. The main objectives of this program is to create opportunities for alternative wage employment and also engaging in self employment.

At present, PRIME is implemented its activities by 16 POs through their 235 branch offices covering 354 unions, 35 upazilas and 5 districts of greater Rangpur district. The operational cost of man power of branch offices (Branch Manager, Accountant, Field Officer, PA Tech, HA) supported by PRIME as well as at the central level also providing for IGA implementing officer and MIS officer.

Overall progress of PRIME upto December 2009:

The PRIME program was started with a baseline survey to identify the Monga affected households (HHs) having monthly income of Tk. £ 1,500 during Monga period  (mid-September to mid-November), or dependent on day labour, or having less then 50 decimals of land were identified as Monga affected HHs.

Over 43% of total HHs is already of Greater Rangpur is monga affected and 30% of these monga affected HHs is already covered by different MFIs, leaving 603562 HHs as the PRIME target. Upto December 2009, nearly 46% (279521) of the targeted monga HHs has been brought under the PRIME activity.

Table: Total and Monga affected households of 35 upazilas of greater Rangpur area.

Member enrollment:

Up to December 2009, nearly 46.21% (279521) of the targeted monga HHs (603562) was brought under the PRIME activity.

Flexible Microcredit:

A total of Tk. 1972 million as flexible micro credit (FMC) until December 2009.

Emergency loan:

Beneficiaries’ demand for the emergency loan was low due to on-going different social safety-net programmes of the Government of Bangladesh. Besides, monga situation was relatively less severe in the current year than that had been observed in the previous years. A total of Tk. 32.10 million was disbursed to 18992 beneficiaries until December 2009.

Skill Training:

PRIME has been providing training both at PO and beneficiary levels. Till December 2009, nearly 63512 beneficiaries have been trained on different IGAs. This includes some specialized long term (18-45 days) training on tailoring, mat making, sweater making, designing karchupi.

Designing PRIME Health Service Initiatives:

PRIME is providing primary health care services to its beneficiaries. Till Devember 2009, 0.344 million beneficiaries received PRIME health services through 210 Health Assistants. Foundation has initiated the procurement of services related to the designing of PRIME Health Service. Foundation has an MOU with RENATA Ltd., a leading drug company, who will supply drug to PRIME cell at given distribution point. Drug distribution guideline approved by the foundation which will be used for distribution of drug.

Breeding farms & Nurseries:

PRIME has established four goat/sheep breeding farm with a view to supply quality kid/lamb to beneficiaries. Besides, it has established 7 nurseries to provide quality plant seedling/sapling to the target beneficiaries.

IGA Implementation:

In each branch PA Tech. and IGA Implementation Officer has been implementing different farming & non-farming model IGA at beneficiary level.

PRIME Coordination Meeting:

PRIME cell arrange coordination meeting with the PRIME POs on monthly basis. In addition to PO representative, this meeting is often attended by PROSPER Team Leader, DFID and PCU representative. Here PRIME progress are evaluated on individual PO basis, problems of program implementation and its possible solution are also discussed across.

BEES as a PO of PRIME:

Formally BEES was a PO of PKSF since 1997 and working 30 districts of the country through 90 Unit Offices. Among them 2 UOs were situated and covering the Monga areas i.e. namely Palashbari and Shaperhat UO were implemented Ultra Poor Program (UPP) under PKSF. In this activities of PRIME in August 2008. BEES were allotted for 3 unions of Palashbari upazila and 5 unions of Pirgonj upazila under Gaibandha and Rangpur district respectively.