The initial phase of a project to develop impoverished villages throughout Egypt will conclude by June 2011, said Mahmoud Maghawri, head of the Central Agency for Urbanization. The first phase involves developing 151 villages in six governorates. The project seeks to provide services, such as building homes and schools, for 12 million people in nearly 1200 of the poorest Egyptian villages. Non-governmental organizations are expected to take part in the projects. Maghawri said education, employment, family income, facilities, and the average number of persons per household, among others, are the criterion used to determine which villages will be targeted. Ministry of Economic Development has the final say in the selection process, according to Maghawri. A social survey will be conducted to determine the most pressing needs of families. One social worker will be assigned for every 50-75 families. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
