Vientiane, 9 November 2021 (TDI): Russia donated approximately 118 metric tons of fortified cooking oil to Laos. The cooking oil will be distributed as a part of the food basket to 78,000 people. The aim is to prevent food deficits and boost food and nutrition security in the country.
WFP’s Food Baskets
Besides the Russian oil, the food basket will have rice and canned fish. It will cater to the food needs of around 31,500 people in the affected areas. This move will boost the community asset-building projects.
Russian Donation
Russia donated the fortified cooking oil as an aid to the World Food Programme (WFP) with the intent to assist helpless communities. Savannakhet, Xayaboury, and Phongsaly provinces will receive the donation.
Resilience Building
WFP will donate the oil worth approximately US$466,000 for resilience building and emergency distribution.
The aid will go to the communities ravaged by recent floods in Xayaboury and Savannakhet provinces to resolve the issue of food insecurity, post haste.
WFP will stock the remaining Russian donation for emergency distribution in 2022. In total, it will target 78,000 people.
Handing-Taking Over Ceremony
The Russian Ambassador to Laos, Vladimir Kalinin, whilst speaking at the handing-taking over ceremony expressed that Russia will continue to offer humanitarian and disaster relief to Laos.
The floods have ravaged Laos since 2018. Therefore Russia will continue cooperation with WFP to ensure food security.
Moreover, the expertise of WFP in beneficiary distribution and targeting is invaluable in the time of uncertain circumstances imposed because of Covid-19.
Vulnerability Mapping Tool of WFP
Jan Delbaere, the WFP Country Director and Representative stated that the vulnerability mapping tool of WFP guarantees continuous adjustment of the programs; to help the most vulnerable people.
He acknowledged Russian generosity and expressed that such donations will ultimately help to achieve WFP’s global target of Zero Hunger by 2030.
Climate Susceptibility of Laos
Laos is a Southeast Asian country with mountainous terrain, and hill tribe settlements. It is especially susceptible to climate change because of a high dependency on natural resources and a low capacity to conform to the consequences of climate change. Seasonal floods, as well as droughts, will amplify the trouble that the communities will experience due to Covid-19.
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