VIENTIANE, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment convened a meeting to review progress and plan future efforts to reduce poverty and malnutrition, focusing on improving living conditions and providing health and nutrition support.
The national steering committee meeting of the rural poverty and malnutrition reduction project assessed the project's 2025 implementation and outlined the 2026 work plan. Participants provided active and constructive feedback, demonstrating their commitment to the project's success, according to the ministry's report.
The five-year project, running from 2024 to 2028, aims to improve living conditions and provide health and nutrition support to poor families. It covers seven provinces, including Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Xieng Khuang, Huaphan, Savannakhet, Salavan, and Sekong, spanning 25 districts and 1,665 villages.
Speaking at the meeting, Lao Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Kikeo Singnavong highlighted the importance of strict adherence to personnel management, activity planning, budgeting, and project coordination.
He expressed confidence that the project will strengthen rural development and poverty reduction efforts.
The Lao government is prioritizing child nutrition to support brain development and drive national growth. Efforts to combat malnutrition include strengthening coordination, increasing funding, using data for evidence-based programs, and scaling up key maternal and child nutrition interventions across sectors. ■
