Lao People's Democratic Republic

A mountainous, landlocked country, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is predominantly rural. Its population of 7.8 million is ethnically diverse. 

In the past decades, Lao PDR has seen a decrease in poverty, but despite these improvements, nutrition and food insecurity remain a persistent problem. Due to economic fallouts post-COVID and recent global economic challenges, the country is facing a precarious fiscal situation, with unsustainable debt levels, translating into week purchase power of vulnerable families. Hence, more than 1 in 10 families in Lao PDR faces moderate or severe food insecurity. 

Deficient infant and young child feeding practices, low education levels and difficult access to basic health and nutrition services contribute to malnutrition, remaining a serious challenge in the country.

Vulnerability to climate change is also a driver of food insecurity, combined with declining land availability, volatile prices, low agricultural productivity, difficult access to markets and lack of diversified livelihood options.

Working in Lao PDR since 1976, WFP’s main strategy is to build national systems, such as school meals and social protection initiatives that can meet the needs of the people who are most at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. In addition, strengthening the self-reliance of communities to build resilience is another key element of WFP’s work. WFP aims to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable people throughout their life cycle, as well as their resilience to seasonal and long-term shocks and stresses.This happens by promoting positive changes in people’s eating and infant and child feeding behaviours,  but also by helping vulnerable communities build sustainable livelihoods with a value chain and food system lens.