KATHMANDU: The UK Department for International Development today pledged Rs 800 million to be spent over the next two years for the second phase of Community Support Programme.

According to DFID, the funds would reach the beneficiaries through Care Nepal and Rural Reconstruction Nepal. DFID Nepal head Sarah Sanyahumbi said, "We are pleased to announce the support to Nepal through Care Nepal and RRN to implement the second phase of the CSP.

The second phase of CSP was pertinent as the Local Governance and Community Development Programme was taking longer than expected to get off the ground due to uncertain political environment. DFID Nepal needs to continue delivery of essential services to remote and deprived areas."

The press statement quoted Shyam Prasad Mainali, secretary, Ministry of Local Development as saying, "It will help prepare the ground for the Local Governance and Community Development Programme to work out development projects at the community level."

The second phase of CSP aims at providing 29,000 households with clean drinking water and sanitation facilities and employment to 3,000 households through various income generating activities. Further to cater the needs of 2,000 poor and excluded youths in the rural areas, 1,500 community buildings including schools and vocational training buildings would also be constructed.