The IBSA fund, created and maintained by India, Brazil and South Africa for the purpose of helping other developing countries, today received a prize at the United Nations South-South Partnership awards in New York.

One of the IBSA projects involves the collection and recycling of rubbish in the Carrefour Feuilles shantytown in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and the other supports small farmers in Guinea-Bissau.

In 2003 the creation of the IBSA fund was officially announced by President Lula at the UN General assembly, and representatives from the governments of Brazil, India and South Africa met in 2005 to discuss possible projects to which resources could be applied.

Brazil is currently involved in a total of fourteen development projects in Haiti, and since 2004 it has also been leading the UN peacekeeping forces in the country.

Source: Agência Brasil and Embassy of Brazil in London