Through its state programme, the Department for International Development (DFID) has spent £124 million in Orissa over the last five years (2004-09). In addition, Orissa has benefited from DFID’s support to national level programmes and to civil society: an estimated £4.5 million in the year 2008-09, with comparable expenditure in each of the previous years.
Two DFID programmes directly address poverty among the Scheduled Tribes (Adivasis) in Orissa. The Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods Project, aims to benefit 725,000 poor people, including 140,000 belonging to Scheduled Tribes. A recent independent review found that so far 31 per cent. of those targeted have moved out of poverty. The second programme, the Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Programme (OTELP), co-funded with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, aims to benefit 1.7 million people, including 315,000 Scheduled Tribe people. An independent review of the programme found that so far food security has improved in 67,500 households, safe drinking water has been provided to 47,625 households and 15,134 families have benefited from paid employment.
DFID also provides major support to the health sector across Orissa. This benefits all people in the state including the tribal population.