12.6 billion USD needed to achieve MDGs in Nepal

Nepal needs to invest 12.6 billion US dollars in public sector to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) till 2015, a report stated here on Wednesday.

The report "Millennium Development Goals: District Progress Report and Report on Voices of the People on Development", says half of the investment should be poured on programs to free people from hunger, to reform education and to develop infrastructures.

The report, which has been prepared for the promotion of overall human development and need assessment in five districts has provided comparative analysis of situation of health, education, income and environment among them.

The report, jointly prepared by National Planning Commission, United Nations Development Program and United Nations Children's Fund, states about people's voice on problems they are facing with lack of land and employment, income opportunities and infrastructures.

The report also includes voices raised by suppressed people, women and children.

Releasing the report here on Wednesday, Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission Jagadish Chandra Pokharel said the government is committed to achieve MDGs set by the United Nations and stressed that donor countries should generously lend their helping hands to the country in present situation.

He said the report would help in drafting plans in future and added that 7 billion dollars is needed for three-year interim plan.

Source: Xinhua