Thailand
Laos: WFP injects more than US$85m to support sustainable development
The World Food Programme (WFP) has granted more than US$85 million (682 billion kip) to help the Lao government achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets, as well as middle-income country status.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Friday by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, DrKikeoChanthaboury, and WFP County Director and Representative, Ms Sarah Gordon-Gibson.
The grant supports WFP’s new five-year Country Strategy Programme (2017-2021), which is designed to help the Lao government to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets and renews commitment to support Laos on the journey to middle-income country status.
DrKikeo said the new Country Strategic Plan had been formulated with the wide participation of different stakeholders in Laos, and was in alignment with Laos’ national socio-economic development plan and other key policies. The programme would greatly benefit the development of Laos.
Also speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms Gordon-Gibson said Laos had made significant progress in improving food and nutrition security but some challenges remained, especially with regard to human assets and economic vulnerability.
The strategic outcomes of the Country Strategic Plan will focus on some of these key challenges including food insecurity, malnutrition, low resilience to climate change, and the government structure that is needed to address these priorities.
Under Strategic outcome 1, the WFP will move towards the national school meals programme, where children will receive a local food-based lunch. Schools will serve as a platform, bringing communities and farmers together, using an integrated approach through the delivery of a package of assistance. The focus of Strategic outcome 2 will be the provision of nutritious food for children aged 6-23 months, capacity development, and nutrition knowledge and practices, through social behaviour change communication and farmer nutrition schools led by women.
Strategic outcome 3 aims to improve the food security of vulnerable communities, reduce the impact of climate change, and build their resilience.
“Every day, step by step, Laos is moving towards food and nutrition security for all, and towards middle-income country status. WFP will be with you on that journey, supporting the government and communities to find national solutions to national challenges,” Ms Gordon-Gibson said.
WFP is the world’s leading humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.
Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_WFP.html