The schedule was to continue with the start of another cycle for 750,000 other ultra-poor women on January 1, 2007.

Despite completion of almost all the arrangements by WFP to start the next 24-month cycle by the first week of January, Bangladesh government is yet to give any satisfactory response, WFP officials recently said.

Ultra-poor women are approaching the field-level government officials and public representatives concerned with VGD project, especially in the Monga-prone districts of greater Rangpur, for the VGD cards.

Mustakim Billa Faruque, upazila nirbahi officer of Shaghata upazila in Gaibandha district told a few days ago that he had to face 'pressure' for VGD cards.

Mohammed Mafizul Hoque, Chairman, Padumshahar union parishad under the same upazila, said he feels embarrassed as he has to regularly face groups of hardcore poor women requesting for VGD cards both at home and outside.

Several women said the VGD programme in the previous two years helped them to change their lot.

"Before the VGD cards were given, I could not manage two meals a day for two kids. VGD cards helped me a lot and now we can have three meals a day. Now I have two goats, two hens and a house," said Rokshana, 35, wife of Tia Mia of Shimultair village in Bornarpara union under Shaghata upazila of Gaibandha district.

Halima, 40, wife of Azizar Rahman of the same village, also told a similar story.

Once suffering from hunger, the woman, with the help of previous VGD programme, can now have three meals with her kids. She has two rams and five hens, and a house to live in. Besides, she is able to send her son Asadul, a student of class nine, to school regularly.

The VGD programme for the next cycle was meant to help hundreds of thousands others like Shefali and Shaida, who along with their kids are now passing days half-starved.