The International Fund for Agricultural Development approved USD258.38 million in loans and grants to support poverty alleviation programs in 16 countries. The beneficiaries include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Swaziland, Tanzania, China, Laos, Philippines, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Belize, Brazil, Guatemala, Venezuela, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. (“USD258.38 million in IFAD loans and grants to support rural poverty programmes and projects world wide” - International Fund for Agricultural Development, Dec. 19, 2008)