Monga is a seasonal crisis occurring during the Bangla months of Aswin and Kartik each year (September to November) in the northern part of the country especially in greater Rangpur region (Kurigram, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Rangpur) with varying degrees of intensity. Various organizations come up with isolated programs during lean season without regard to sustainability concern and leave when the lean season is over. Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) has implemented a program named Programmed Initiatives for Monga Eradication (PRIME) since July 2006.The program has been formally launched in Lalmonirhat district and will be replicated in other areas of greater Rangpur and would be extended to districts where Monga like crisis exists. PKSF has selected six potential partner organizations (POs) namely - ESDO, ASOD, RDRS, POPI, TMSS and PMUK - for the successful implementation of the program. In the mean time, survey works and infrastructure development work as well as emergency loan disbursement has been completed. Now the POs are working for group formation and assessment of the training needs of the beneficiaries. The summary of the progress report of PRIME is given below:

1. Survey

According to the survey, 225000 households have been living in Lalmonirhat district. Nearly 120000 households are affected during the Monga. Of them, 30,000 families have been engaged in infrastructure development works such as raising homestead, schools, madrasa, mosques, village markets, construction of flood shelters, repairing roads and dams; cleaning ponds, canals and lakes etc. In addition, emergency loan has been disbursed among 18,000 families to reduce their vulnerability during Monga.

2. Infrastructure Development Work

The PRIME implementing POs have started infrastructure development works in 8 October 2006 and continued till 30 November 2006. A total of 9,78,852 labour days have been spent under this work. Maximum 30,995 beneficiaries have been engaged in a day under infrastructure development work, although target approved by the Foundation is 29504 beneficiaries.

3. Emergency Loan Support

PKSF approved in budget for current fiscal year Tk 3.428 million for disbursement of emergency loan among 18,157 beneficiaries. Till Nov'06, Tk 0.426 million has been disbursed among 316 beneficiaries.

4. Remittance

Till November 2006, 21 beneficiaries have transferred money equivalent to Tk 13,300 through different POs. Primarily no charge has been taken for this service.