(KPL) The Australian government announced renewed support of AU$ 1 Million funding for the World Food Programme (WFP) to support vulnerable communities in the Lao PDR in managing their own school feeding programmes and strengthening their resilience to the impacts of climate change.

As part of the announcement, Andreas Zurbrugg, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy in Vientiane, travelled to Beng district in Oudomxay Province on April 27, 2018,

With 70 per cent of the population relying on subsistence agriculture, changes in climate affects the vast majority of the rural population.

The generous support from Australia will be used to assist vulnerable communities in shock-prone areas in adapting to climate change and in building long-term resilience against climate risks.

The smallholder farmers will be at the centre of the support, receiving access to new agricultural techniques and tools to adapt production to climate change and support community grown school feeding.

Australia has been supporting school meals since 2006, which has contributed to increased enrolment in primary education in 30 educational disadvantaged districts in 7 provinces –Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang, Saravan, Xekong, and Attapeu.

The provision of lunch has boosted attendance and attentiveness, and supported learning for more than 145,000 children in the Lao PDR.

“Australia is pleased to partner with the World Food Programme to support the Lao Government priority of helping to build community resilience and improve food security. Investing in the most disadvantaged communities, particularly children, will help enable the Lao PDR to achieve its economic development goals,” said Mr. Andreas Zurbrugg.

KPL