WFP Representative and Country Director for Laos, Marc-André Prost. — Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN): The World Food Programme (WFP) and development partners have reaffirmed their commitment to help the Laos government mitigate the risks posed by extreme weather events and the impact of climate change, and enhance food security.
Addressing a recent meeting to launch a programme on disaster risk reduction and creating climate-resilient communities in northern Laos, WFP Representative and Country Director, Marc-André Prost, said “Climate-related disasters and other types of shock are a main threat to food security. It is our joint priority to make communities resilient to shocks.”
Disaster preparedness and community resilience is key to maintaining progress on countering food insecurity.
“The World Food Programme is delighted to continue the successful partnership needed to reach these goals,” Prost said.
WFP is partnering with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to implement a project on disaster risk reduction to create climate-resilient communities in northern Laos.
The project is supported by the United States through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
More than 16,000 people in four districts of Oudomxay and Phongsaly provinces will benefit from the project.
The project aims to reduce the risks posed by climate-related threats and their impact on communities, as well as boosting food security for the most vulnerable populations.
It’s core objectives include community engagement for disaster risk reduction and improved livelihoods year round, and the strengthening of national and local disaster management systems.
Disaster risk reduction and food security are closely linked, because extreme weather events can significantly impact the availability of and access to food.
Families in the target villages will participate in consultations to define their needs to increase their resilience.
Communities will engage in the construction or rehabilitation of community structures which will contribute to their long-term food security and resilience, while receiving cash-based transfers to bridge food gaps in between harvest seasons.
Vulnerable communities will also participate in livelihoods and disaster preparedness training aimed at making them more resilient to climate shocks.
According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the four target districts in Oudomxay and Phongsaly provinces have suffered from both floods and prolonged dry spells in recent years, putting added pressure on communities already threatened by food insecurity.
Through this project, the ministry’s Social Welfare Development will receive assistance in systems strengthening in supply chain and logistics management, as well as in conducting rapid emergency assessments.
The support and collaboration of USAID and WFP have contributed to the fulfilment of the 9th Socio-economic Development Plan and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy.
