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Laos: 233 infrastructure improvement projects to be implemented in 2020
A total of 233 projects will be implemented under the Poverty Reduction Fund in 2020, of which a majority are infrastructure development schemes.
A total of 58 projects will receive funds worth more than 13 billion kip (US$1.4 million) from the Lao government, while 175 projects will be supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with more than 48 billion kip (US$ 5.4 million).
The 233 projects will be implemented by the Poverty Reduction Fund, which is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in the Fund’s target areas in 23 districts of the six provinces of Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, Saravan, Xekong and Attapeu, as well as provinces which are not in the target areas of the Fund, such as Xieng Khuang and Oudomxay provinces.
The inspection and social and environmental impact assessment of the projects have been finished and their implementation will start soon.
Once the projects are completed, the local residents will have access to many facilities, such as schools, good roads and health centres, according to the Poverty Reduction Fund.
Besides improving infrastructure, the Poverty Reduction Fund has also helped farmers in Xaysomboun province to improve clean agricultural production with the aim of reducing poverty, enhancing food security and creating sustainable income.
The Poverty Reduction Fund recently launched a pilot project to support farmers in Huaphan province to produce buffalo milk as part of efforts to improve child nutrition in northern Laos.
The pilot is part of a programme that focuses on basic infrastructure, nutrition support and income generation activities for food producers.
The Poverty Reduction Fund, established in 2002, has become part of the Lao government’s Nutrition Convergence agenda, with a renewed
focus on reducing stunting among children.
Some 1.2 million people have directly benefited from the Fund over the
past 18 years.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_233_infrastructure_71.php