Ms Sonomi Tanaka chairs the nutrition meeting on Monday.        --Photo ADB

 EU, ADB partner to improve nutrition in Huaphan, Xieng Khuang

A nutrition initiative financed by the European Union (EU) and administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will see 3,600 households in 120 villages of five districts in Huaphan and Xieng Khuang provinces receive support concerning nutrition awareness and improved WASH facilities.
The initiative will be jointly implemented under the leadership of the Lao government, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and SNV.
The nutrition initiative, launched in Vientiane on Monday, is one of the four outputs of the ADB-financed Sustainable Rural Infrastructure and Watershed Management Sector Project for Laos, with a financial envelope of US$51.46 million, including US$4.46 million from the EU.
The project, managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Department of Irrigation, is helping Laos to develop market-driven and safe agricultural products and integrate rural areas into the national economy.
“Huaphan and Xieng Khuang are prioritised by Laos’ National Nutrition Strategy and Plan of Action as areas of poor nutrition and sanitation. Nutrition is mainstreamed across our Team Europe programmes in Laos. A partnership approach is key to achieve nutrition outcomes,” said the Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Laos, Niall Leonard.
Under this component, the aim is to reinforce the nutrition dimension in the agriculture sector by increasing the local availability of nutritious food products from within the project area.
Social behavioural change, reduction of women’s workloads and improving eating habits will be key elements addressed along the project’s life, targeting women of reproductive age, mothers of children under five, pregnant women, adolescent girls, persons with disabilities, and smallholder farmers.
ADB Country Director for Laos, Ms Sonomi Tanaka, said “ADB takes a comprehensive multi-sector approach to supporting Laos in food security and sustainable development. With thanks to our partners, especially the EU, WFP and SNV, we are working together to improve nutrition in Laos, particularly in the project target areas of Huaphan and Xieng Khuang provinces.”
Ms Tanaka welcomed the progress in moving towards closer cooperation with UN agencies.
“In our efforts to support the Lao government in the midst of multiple global crises and record inflation, we see that the economic fallout is affecting the most vulnerable. This programme sets a precedent for many organisations to work together towards our shared development goals,” she said.
The nutrition initiative will build on existing global expertise and experience of both the World Food Programme and SNV in nutrition, including in the target areas, and will run until 2026.
Director General of the Department of Irrigation, Mr Bounkham Sydavong, said “Our department is confident to receive the best implementation support from these two organisations. WFP and SNV have long-standing experience engaging with our government, including with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in helping us work towards the goals set out in the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.”
“In addition to this national-level support, they also have the field experience needed to deliver results in favour of improved nutrition in Laos,” he added.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 28, 2023)