Representatives of the Lao and Indian governments and the World Food Programme display signed project agreements in Vientiane. - Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: The Lao government and the United Nations have signed off on a project to strengthen large-scale food fortification in Laos, supported by the Indian government, worth US$1 million.
The project, titled “Strengthening Large Scale Food Fortification in Laos: The Case for Investing in Rice Fortification”, will be implemented over the next two years through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
It aims to enhance the nutritional quality of rice by adding essential vitamins and minerals. Food fortification is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions to reduce micronutrient deficiencies at scale.
Rice, the cornerstone of Laos’ diet, could become a game-changer in battling malnutrition.
Micronutrient deficiency, also called hidden hunger, caused by a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, stunts growth and development.
Around 40 per cent of women of childbearing age and 44 percent of children under five are plagued by iron deficiency anaemia, leading to severe and lasting health issues.
Speaking at the project signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Aphone Visathep said fortification is not an entirely new agenda point for Laos. Since 1995, the Ministry of Health has regulated the standards for production and importation of iodised salt in Laos, making fortification of salt mandatory.
Glutinous rice, which is the most important element of Laos’ food culture, is a good source of energy, but does not contain micronutrients such as vitamin A, B, iron and zinc, which people in Laos generally lack. Adding such micronutrients is an opportunity in our fight against malnutrition, she said.
The Indian government supports this intervention with US$1 million over two years through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.
The Ambassador of India to Laos, Yogeshwar Sangwan, said India’s investment in fortification has been a national success, reaching 400 million people in India with fortified rice to counter micronutrient deficiencies.
“India is proud to share its knowledge and experience in rice fortification with Laos. This partnership reflects our strong bilateral relations and our commitment to supporting sustainable development in the region,” he said.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Laos, Bakhodir Burkhanov, said that the initiative is an accelerator towards eradicating malnutrition and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We are thankful for the partnership with India to deliver such an important initiative, which exemplifies the power of South-South cooperation,” Burkhanov said.
Since 2013, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has been a leading partner to the Lao government on rice fortification.
WFP brings 30 years of global expertise in food fortification.
World Food Programme Representative and Country Director in Laos, Marc-Andre Prost, said the cooperation aims to implement the steps laid out in Laos’ Food Fortification Strategic Action Plan.
In addition, strong political will combined with the expertise of the India and WFP will open opportunities for the public and private sectors to enhance national capability to fortify rice and improve the diet of millions of people in Laos. - Vientiane Times/ANN
