24 October 2011, VIENTIANE – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Lao PDR today welcomed a generous contribution of US$10 million over the next three years from the United States of America. The contribution, provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), will ensure that more than 152,000 schoolchildren continue to receive a nutritious snack every day they attend school. The food will support children in six provinces of Lao PDR to pursue their education.

For 2011, the U.S. contribution is delivered in the form of 1,610 metric tons of rice, 560 metric tons of vitamin and mineral fortified Super Cereal, and 110 metric tons of vegetable oil, with all transport cost to Laos covered by the donation. The oil and Super Cereal will be used by village cooks to prepare the daily snack for the school children, keeping hunger at bay. The rice will be given as a take-home ration to students who live far from the schools, and will benefit the entire family while providing an incentive for them to keep sending the students to school.  

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Photo: A pre-primary student in Oudomxay province is enjoying her mid-morning snack. Photo credit: WFP/Cornelia Paetz