World Vision launches multi-secctor area development programme in Pak Ou District
The Luang Prabang Provincial Rural Development Office and World Vision Lao PDR have agreed to implement a five year first phase of a multi-secctor area development program in the Pak Ou District of Luang Prabang.
Pak Ou district is one of the priority areas for development identified by Luang Prabang Province, and this program will help to advance poverty eradication objectives of the Government of the Lao PDR. The activities of the program will increase the capacity of the men, women and children to participate in sustainable development in the villages of Pak Ou District in order to improve the future well-being of the children.
The Pak Ou Area development program encompasses 23 villages with a total population of 13,099 people. Initial funding of 7.5 billion Kip (945,000 US dollars) for the program has been provided by donor in Taiwan, through the World Vision Taiwan support office.
The Pak Ou District Area Development Program has activities to improve food security and livelihoods of the poorest households, enhance health status of children, develop functional literacy and life skills, build local leadership, and support community development activities. This multi-sector program will be implemented under the joint management of the Luang Prabang Provincial Rural Development Office and World Vision Lao PDR. District level offices of Rural Development, Health, Labor and Social Welfare, Agriculture and Forestry, Education and other related government offices as well as the targeted communities will be closely involved in the area development program planning, implementation and evaluation.
The project document was signed in Pak Ou District, Luang Prabang Province by Mr. Khamtiene Sudetsanxay, Director of Luang Prabang Provincial Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Office and Mr. Grant Power, Operations Director of World Vision Lao PDR, and witnessed by Mr. Meck. Phanlack, Vice Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Vice Minister of National Leading Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication. Also in attendance were representative of World Vision Lao PDR, district and provincial development committee members, other concerned government ministries and departments.
World Vision Lao began working in Luang Prabang Province in 1991 and has implemented various projects including famine relief, integrated rural development, malaria control, water supply, and other health and sanitation related projects. World Vision Lao PDR works with the Government of the Lao PDR on more than 20 other multi-sector area development projects in five provinces of the country.