Fortified Rice Project Launched to Help Reduce Malnutrition in Laos

On 6 March, the Authorities of Laos and the United Nations nation consultant signed off on a challenge aiming to strengthen large-scale meals fortification in Laos.

Rice, the cornerstone of the Lao weight loss program, might turn out to be a game-changer in battling malnutrition. Micronutrient deficiency, additionally referred to as hidden starvation, is attributable to an absence of important nutritional vitamins and minerals, which stunts development and improvement in Laos.

Round 40 p.c of ladies of childbearing age and 44 p.c of kids beneath 5 are affected by iron deficiency anemia, resulting in extreme and lasting well being points.

The challenge, agreed on collectively on 6 March, titled “Strengthening Giant-Scale Meals Fortification in Laos: The Case for Investing in Rice Fortification,” will probably be applied over the subsequent two years.

It goals to boost the dietary high quality of rice by including important nutritional vitamins and minerals. Meals fortification is likely one of the most cost-effective public well being interventions to scale back micronutrient deficiencies at scale.

“Fortification is just not a wholly new agenda level for Laos. Since 1995, our Ministry of Well being has regulated the requirements for the manufacturing and importation of iodized salt in Laos, making the fortification of salt obligatory. Glutinous rice, which is a very powerful factor of our nationwide meals tradition, is an effective supply of power however doesn’t include micronutrients corresponding to nutritional vitamins A, B, iron, and zinc, which individuals usually lack in our nation. Including such micronutrients is a chance in our battle in opposition to malnutrition,” stated Aphone Visathep, Vice Minister of Well being.

The Authorities of India additionally helps this intervention with USD 1 million over two years by the India-UN Growth Partnership Fund.

“India’s funding into fortification has been a nationwide success, reaching 400 million folks in India with fortified rice to counter micronutrient deficiencies. India is proud to share its information and expertise in rice fortification with Laos. This partnership displays our sturdy bilateral relations and our dedication to supporting sustainable improvement within the area,” stated Yogeshwar Sangwan, Ambassador of India to Laos.

“The United Nations performs a significant function as a accomplice for governments globally in reworking meals techniques with evidence-based and cost-effective options. Staple meals fortification is a cheap strategy to deliver micronutrients into the diets of all Lao folks and depart nobody behind. It’s an accelerator in the direction of eradicating malnutrition and reaching the Sustainable Growth Objectives. We’re grateful for the partnership with India to ship such an necessary initiative, which exemplifies the facility of South-South cooperation,” stated Bakhodir Burkhanov, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Laos.

Since 2013, the United Nations World Meals Programme (WFP) has been a number one accomplice to the Authorities on rice fortification. “WFP brings 30 years of worldwide experience in meals fortification.

The cooperation we signed right now goals to implement the steps specified by Laos Meals Fortification Strategic Motion Plan. Sturdy political will mixed with the experience of the Republic of India and WFP will open alternatives for the private and non-private sectors to boost nationwide functionality to fortify rice and enhance the weight loss program of hundreds of thousands of individuals in Laos,” stated Marc-Andre Prost, World Meals Programme Consultant and Nation Director in Laos.