Background & Purpose

 

Combating malnutrition is one Millennium Development Goal (MDG) which Lao PDR is unlikely to achieve. Stunting in children remains the biggest challenge, and the rate of decline of stunting in children is considered to be too slow. In fact, given the population growth rate the number of stunted children in Laos is likely to increase rather than decrease over coming years. While there has been a National reduction in poverty, the severity of poverty has increased in amongst the poorest groups, and consumption inequality has increased. Xekong Province in southern Laos is one of the poorest, which is evidenced by the high rates of malnutrition and associated problems such as stunting. In the 2013 MDG progress report, Xekong Province recorded the highest rates of stunted (>60%) and underweight (>50%) children in the country.

 

PEDA believes that through the delivery of basic education on nutrition and provision of seeds and stock, and through working closely with village authorities to build local capacity, they can help communities in Xekong to improve their nutrition.

 

Proposed Interventions

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• Delivery of education on nutrition through mobile community education.

• Selection and training of target group representatives as Peer Educators, including village chiefs, teachers and mothers.

• Use of advocacy and capacity building with key influential people, including village health workers.

• Supply of seeds, poultry and basic agricultural training to selected families.