China, Lao PDR, UNICEF Unite to Deliver Life-saving Support for Children

Vientiane Capital, 4 December 2024 – A groundbreaking partnership between the Government of China, Lao PDR, and UNICEF was launched today to combat acute malnutrition, improve child health outcomes, and strengthen child protection services in Lao PDR. With an investment of $1.48 million, this collaboration will directly benefit over 221,000 children and families across the country, especially those in underserved and remote areas.

As part of the initiative with support from China, malnourished children will benefit from life-saving supplies, including 6,200 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) which is essential for treating severe acute malnutrition in children, along with therapeutic milk and in-patient kits. Acute malnutrition, also known as wasting, is a life-threatening condition that significantly increases a child's risk of death, with wasted children being up to 14 times more likely to die than their healthier peers.

Dr. Sanong Thongsana, Vice Minister of Health, spoke about the partnership’s importance for the country's nutrition and health initiatives. “This collaboration with UNICEF and the Government of China is crucial to achieving our health and nutrition goals. The start of this new partnership will have life-saving impacts on children and families throughout the country,” said the Vice Minister.

The project will also deliver capacity-building programmes to train over 600 health workers and equip 17 provincial hospitals with resources for care of small and sick newborns and treat childhood illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhoea. In addition, the initiative also prioritizes child protection services, supporting 15,000 vulnerable children in boarding schools, and equipping social workers in 18 provinces with essential supplies for gender-based violence and mental health support services.

“The successful launch of this project demonstrates the core concept of China’s Global Development Initiative and embodies China’s responsibility as a major global player,” stated Chinese Ambassador to Lao PDR, H.E. Fang Hong. “We hope this project will not only benefit children suffering from malnutrition and certain diseases but also spread the good will and compassion of human society, and to build a community with a shared future for mankind.”

Mr. Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani, UNICEF Country Representative to Lao PDR highlighted the partnership’s transformative potential. “This initiative is about delivering tangible results: saving lives, protecting the most vulnerable, and building a foundation for the future. Together, with the support of the Government of China, we will ensure no child in Lao PDR is left behind.”

The project’s impact includes treating 6,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, improving access to health services for 165,000 children under 5 years of age, and providing immediate care to 34,000 newborns in need. Additionally, it aims to build sustainable health and social service systems, ensuring long-term benefits for generations to come.

This partnership is part of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) championed by China, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, including ending malnutrition, improving health outcomes, and eliminating violence against children.

The initiative’s implementation will focus on 10 provinces, including Phongsaly, Attapeu and Champasak among others, targeting especially areas with the greatest need.