(KPL) The United States has announced new funding of US$25 million over five years to feed children in schools across the Lao PDR. 

The U.S. programme, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme project, will be implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with CRS and the Ministry of Education and Sports.

This project will provide daily hot lunches to 735 schools in 18 districts, reaching more than 84,000 children in need. 

“I am so proud that the United States and WFP will continue to provide school lunches in Laos with our partners at the Ministry of Education and Sports and CRS,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Lao PDR Peter M. Haymond, adding that school lunches are proven to help students achieve better academic results and encourage higher attendance for all students, especially girls and underrepresented groups.

“The United States stands together with the people and the government of Lao PDR in support of their development goals,” said the ambassador.

USDA has been providing school-feeding assistance to the Lao PDR since 2006 under the McGovern-Dole programme. 

The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme helps support education, child development and food security in countries around the globe.  The programme provides for the donation of high-quality U.S. agricultural commodities, as well as financial and technical assistance, to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects for those in need.

KPL