UNICEF Provides a Vehicle to the Ministry of Planning and Investment to Better Monitor and Support UNICEF-funded Programme Activities at Subnational Level

Vientiane, LAOS, 28 August 2020 – UNICEF Lao PDR handed over a vehicle to the Ministry of Planning and Investment to support their regular monitoring and implementation of UNICEF-funded programme activities at subnational level, with a focus on target provinces as per the country programme.

At a ceremony, Dr. Pia Britto, UNICEF Representative, handed the vehicle over to Ms. Sisomboun Ounavong, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of Planning and Investment. This follows the decision of the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning and Investment, No.1237/MPI and dated 6 August 2020 which authorized the handover of a vehicle for the Department of International Cooperation. Officials from UNICEF, the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry, and the Cabinet Office, were in attendance.

“This support is timely and well-appreciated. The Ministry of Planning and Investment will use the vehicle to regularly monitor programme activities to improve programme effectiveness and to provide timely social and development assistance. It will also help in following up on the well-being of vulnerable women and children at the subnational level, particularly those living in hard-to-reach areas,” said Ms. Sisomboun upon receiving the vehicle.

The vehicle was procured as part of UNICEF’s activity to support the strengthening of national data systems for monitoring and reporting on the progress of child related Sustainable Development Goals and national social development indicators. The vehicle will be used by the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Planning and Investment to monitor child-related activities and support the timely follow up and monitoring of services provided for children and women supported by UNICEF, particularly at the subnational level.

The official handover of the vehicle comes at a time when UNICEF and the Government of Lao PDR are implementing a follow up of subnational planning activities.

“UNICEF continues to support the Ministry of Planning and Investment in taking stock of lessons learnt from 2019 initiatives to guide their sub-national planning approach in two selected provinces, Attapeu and Savannakhet, and to make recommendations in the next Country Programme,” said Dr. Britto. She continued, “to support the Government in strengthening capacity for evidence generation for delivering results for women and children, UNICEF will continue working with the Ministry of Planning and Investment in strengthening the availability and use of data for evidence-based planning, monitoring and budgeting, focusing on a convergence approach. Building on lessons learnt from the two provinces, UNICEF will continue to assist the Government to develop a quality governmental and social service workforce at the sub-national level and ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and tools they require.”