February 12, 2001
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today witnessed the signing of six agreements
for Canada Fund projects to support sustainable development and meet the basic
human needs of people in poverty-stricken areas of Shaanxi. The Prime Minister,
accompanied by leaders of Canadian provinces and territories, visited Xian, the
capital of Shaanxi province during Team Canada’s mission to China.
"Canadians are sensitive to the plight of the poor in China and around
the world, and are always ready to support their development efforts" said
the Prime Minister. "These projects are good examples of small projects can
make a big difference in the quality of life of people, by opening up new
opportunities and introducing new ideas."
Three of the projects will train women rural health workers in order to
improve access to basic health care services in villages. The others will
support training in agricultural production as a way to improve the income of
farmers. Ambassador Howard Balloch signed the agreements with representatives of
the Shaanxi Nationalities Affairs Commission and the Shaanxi Women’s
Federation
Canada Fund programs, administered by Canadian embassies in developing
countries, provide small grants for community based projects which enable people
to improve their skills, income and access to basic necessities.
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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
BACKGROUND
CANADA FUND PROJECTS IN SHAANXI
The Canada Fund supports projects that meet the basic needs of the rural poor
in six of western China’s poorest provinces and autonomous regions, namely
Shaanxi, Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu and Guizhou. A program of the
Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA),
the Canada Fund in China is administered by the Canadian Embassy in Beijing.
The annual income of Canada Fund project participants averages between 200
and 800 RMB (approximately C$ 36 to $150). Special emphasis is placed on ethnic
minority communities; in 1999-2000, 47 of the 57 projects benefitted them
directly. Projects are implemented by people at the local level, with the
support of "facilitators" at the provincial level. In Shaanxi they
are: the Shaanxi Women’s Federation and the Shaanxi Nationalities Affairs
Commission.
Canada Fund projects are small in scale – on average about C$ 20,000.
However, much is achieved with a small investment. The six new projects are:
1. Midwifery and Healthcare Training in Poverty-Stricken Townships in Ankang
Ankang is a state-recognized poverty county. Farmers in the area have on
average only between 3 fen and 1.5 mu (0.02-0.10 hectares) of
land. This project will train 100 women from poverty-stricken rural areas, 80%
of whom are members of the Hui (Muslim) ethnic minority group, to become basic
healthcare providers. All trainees will be provided with basic medical equipment.
The Canada Fund will contribute approximately C$ 18,200 (99,780 RMB).
2. Healthcare Training for Minority Women of Feng County
Feng County is a provincially-recognized poverty county. There are high
incidences of drought in the area and on average each person has only 1 mu
(0.07 hectares) of land, 90% of which is in mountainous areas. While the local
poverty line stands at 700 RMB (C$ 125), average annual per capita income in the
county is only 630 RMB. This project will provide training to 163 women, 60% of
whom are members of the Hui ethnic minority group, that will enable them to
provide basic healthcare services to their fellow villagers. Trainees will also
be provided with basic medical equipment, including medical kits, sterilization
equipment and cold storage boxes for transporting vaccinations. The Canada Fund
will contribute approximately C$ 34,700 (189,987 RMB).
3. Training in the Cultivation of Gingko Trees in Xunyang County
Xunyang is a state-recognized poverty county. Ninety-three percent of the
population of this very mountainous area is engaged in agriculture. This project
will provide training in the cultivation of gingko trees to 200 poor farmers,
30% of whom are members of the Hui ethnic minority group, so that they can
increase their income from gingko products. Trainees will also be provided with
basic supplies and equipment to allow them to put into practice what they learn.
The Canada Fund will contribute approximately C$ 12,000 (66,226 RMB).
4. Training of Poor Women in the Cultivation of Apple Trees and Marketing in
Luochuan County.
Eighty percent of Luochuan’s population is engaged in agriculture. Farmers’
average per capita income in the 5 project townships was 520 RMB in 1999. This
project will provide training to 420 poor women farmers on the cultivation of
apple trees.
Trainees will also be provided with basic equipment. The Canada Fund
contribution will be approximately C$ 18,850 (103,292 RMB).
5. Training of Poor Rural Women in Vegetable Growing in Greenhouses and
Marketing in Weinan
Training will take place in two of the poorest counties under the
jurisdiction of Weinan. Annual per capita income of farmers in the two counties
averages between 700 and 820 RMB and farmers have on average only between 0.8
and 1.3 mu (0.05-0.09 hectares) of land. This project will provide
training to 260 poor rural women on the cultivation of vegetables in greenhouses.
Canada Fund will also fund the construction of 2 demonstration greenhouses.
Canada Fund contribution: approximately C$15,600 (85,260 RMB).
6. Training of Village Women Health Workers in Shiquan County
Shiquan County is a province-recognized poverty county. While 90% of its
population is engaged in agriculture, hills and mountains cover 95% of the
county. Average annual per capita income of farmers in Shiquan is less than 700
RMB (C$125). 19,800 people in the county still live under the poverty line. This
project will improve access to basic healthcare in 129 villages by training 129
women in basic healthcare and providing them with essential medical equipment.
Canada Fund contribution: approximately C$ 30,504 (RMB 168,016).
Canada Fund started funding projects in Shaanxi in 1985. Since then, 188
projects have been carried out across the province. As a result:
• Access to a secure source of clean water has been provided to over
20,000 people. These projects resulted in decreases in the rates of water
borne diseases and related health problems in the project areas, such as
goiter, dysentery, Kashin-Beck disease (which cripples its victims),
intestinal and gynecological problems. They also made it possible for an
additional 1,500 mu (100.05 hectares) of land to have been put under
irrigation and supported livestock. The women and girls that formerly spent
many hours a day on the arduous task of collecting water are now able to
spend their time in a much more productive manner.
• 2,000 rural women have been trained to become health workers and
mid-wives, resulting in improved healthcare for thousands of families.
Significant reductions in infant and maternal mortality rates, as well as in
the incidence of gynecological problems, common childhood diseases and other
health problems have been achieved.
• Schools have been able to improve conditions and provide students
with much-needed materials and equipment. These improvements in the
provision of basic education have enticed more parents to send their
children to school, with the long-term impact that better education can
generate on the livelihood of communities .
• 29,869 people (86% of whom were women) have benefitted from
technical training. These trainees have passed on the skills they learned to
well over 107,500 other farmers. These projects have enabled farmers to
increase their income and thereby improve the quality of life of their
entire family. More children, especially girls, are able to attend school,
families are able to improve their nutrition, people can access and afford
medical care.
