S. Korea, Ireland donate 900 tonnes of rice to Laos

The Republic of Korea, Ireland and other donors have provided 900 tonnes of rice for distribution to more than 100,000 people in four provinces who do not have access to guaranteed food. ​
The rice was donated through the World Food Programme (WFP)​ and handed over to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare for distribution to households in 16 districts of Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Xekong​ and​ Saravan provinces.
Deputy​ Minister​ of Labour and Social Welfare Mr Lee Pao Yang said​ the rice will be sent to these provinces from July to September and will then be given to local residents by Lao Red Cross staff.

Representatives​ of donors and Lao officials gather in Vientiane for the handover of 900 tonnes of rice.

The rice donation is intended to help people who are underprivileged and who do not have access to guaranteed food. It also enables the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to achieve the indicators outlined in the work plan on improving social welfare for disadvantaged groups by providing them with better access to effective social assistance services, he added.
This assistance is an important contribution to the government’s efforts to tackle poverty, the Pathetlao Daily stated.
The rice was donated based on the general population’s food security, malnutrition and poverty indicators, including areas with hunger identified by the government and the WFP’s high-frequency food security audit, which determines that each person living within the target area will receive 8.4 kilograms of rice.
The food aid will help reduce the gap in food shortages for families who are at high risk, especially during the rainy season or at times of food shortage when rice stocks are not sufficient to last until the next harvest.
In addition, the rice donation will help families cope with the increasing cost of living as a result of inflation rate and the continuing economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
WFP Country Director and Representative Jan Delbaere said “As the largest humanitarian organisation in the world, it is our duty to ensure that people have enough food in times of crisis.”
“Currently, about 60 percent of Lao people are looking for ways to earn income to spend within their families, while about 16 percent of the population in rural areas are facing the problem of food insecurity. They need urgent support to help them get back on their feet after encountering challenges in the past before the country’s economy recovers again,” he added.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 12, 2023)