Denmark has provided over US$ 8 million aimed at improving health of mothers and young children in the poorest areas of Burma, official media reported on Wednesday.

“Denmark contribution will enable farmers to cultivate larger areas and yield better harvests, resulting in increased income for many households and villages across the country,” officials were quoted as saying.

The donation will also provide funding for the 3 Millennium Development Fund (3MDG) Fund to offer health services to populations with the greatest need, focusing on improving the health of mothers and young children.

In January, the Danish government said it planned to double its assistance to Burma this year in recognitions of the progress made on democratization.

Total annual assistance will rise from 50 million to 100 million kroner ($8.5 million to $17 million).

The aid will include components to supplement the Global Fund program on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, in areas, which it is currently unable to support, as well as to assist the government in strengthening the health systems and capacity to deliver quality basic health.

Denmark along with the governments of Australia, the EC, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are working together to increase food availability, income generation opportunities and food use for up to 2 million people, officials said.

“There is an urgent need to improve access to education and to educate the people of Myanmar for the future and to improve [the] livelihoods of every single citizen,” said a Danish official.

Link: http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/7775-denmark-to-double-burma-aid-this-year.html