PRESS RELEASE

Public Affairs Office
Embassy of the United States of America
Rue Bartholonie, P.O. Box. 114
Vientiane, Laos.

Tel:  (856-21) 267229
Fax: (856-21) 267160
Website: http://laos.usembassy.gov
July 23, 2007

U.S. to donate 660 metric tons of food for schoolchildren

The United States Embassy is pleased to announce the donation of 660 metric tons of food for schoolchildren in Laos. The food aid is part of a project supported by the United States Department of Agriculture’s “Food for Education” program; the project also includes a component dedicated to UXO clearance, as well as additional education and nutrition related activities. On July 24, representatives from the U.S. Embassy and the International Relief and Development (IRD) organization will officially donate the first 20 tons of food to His Excellency Bounsuan Sengdavong, Provincial Party Committee and Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee also the President of the Lao Front for National Construction of Khammouan province, and Mr. Sivong Inthavong, Ministry of Education, Director of Education Services of Khammouane Province. Representatives from Humpty Dumpty Institute and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) will also attend the ceremony. The rice, beans, canned salmon, and cereals will be used to support schools in Buaolapa, Mahasay, and Gnomalat Districts. The school feeding program will target 10,000 students in 110 primary schools in these 3 districts with daily in-school and take-home rations in an effort to improve school attendance. Additional activities for the project include teacher and community school management training, school gardens, school materials and supplies and school environment improvements, including UXO clearance. The project has been preparing communities for participation in this program for the last few months and will be providing food through the coming school year.

IRD is implementing the project in cooperation with MAG, Humpty Dumpty International and the Ministry of Education. The food and operational funding for this project comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).