USDA Awards $25 million to Help Feed Lao Children in Need

The United States has announced new funding of $25 million over five years to feed children in schools across the Lao PDR.  The U.S. program, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program project, will be implemented by the World Food Program (WFP) in partnership with CRS and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports.  This project will provide daily hot lunches to 735 schools in 18 districts, reaching more than 63,000 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.  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.”

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

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