Standard Project Report 2016
Country Resources and Results
Resources for Results
The country programme was resourced through contributions from Government donors and the private sector. The overall funding for the year was USD 14 million, which covered 69 percent of the needs. Given this shortfall, resources were optimised to achieve results across four components of the programme, and to provide sufficient country and field office support. Through two budget revisions, the country programme was extended in time twice to align it with the United Nations Development Assistance Framework( UNDAF) until December 2016, and ensure continuity until the start of the Country Strategic Plan( CSP) in April 2017.
Multiyear earmarked funding has ensured consistency and continuity in the implementation of some activities. A small proportion of contributions were multi-lateral and were allocated to underfunded activities. Funding shortages affected four out of the five components. The emergency preparedness and response funding requirement was lower than planned. However, since there was no need for emergency assistance, funds received were sufficient to ensure that preparedness activities were carried out as planned. The school meals programme was fully funded, and witnessed an increase in collaborative partnerships which added value to the services and assistance provided to children and communities. Significant financial and technical resources were directed toward the shift from mid-morning snack to lunch modality. Contributions for the maternal and child health and nutrition( MCHN) programme have been low, and therefore WFP continued to limit its assistance to children and pregnant and lactating women( PLW) in three provinces rather than in six provinces as originally planned. Livelihood initiatives for nutrition( LIN) projects have been critically underfunded, although some activities were carried out after some funding was allocated to this component. No food fortification or marketing activities were undertaken due to the lack of resources.
WFP has joined a joint United Nations agency initiative of carpooling, which aims to demonstrate the utility of information and communications technology( ICT) systems in improving vehicle utilisation. This has reduced costs for all participating agencies and increased the availability of transport, demonstrating cost-efficiency and effectiveness. The security level in Lao PDR remains at level 1, indicating a low risk environment. The country office and three field offices are compliant with the required minimum operating security standards.
There has been considerable investment in staff in 2016, especially in capacity development to ensure that staff have the necessary tools, knowledge and skills, and these efforts will continue in the future.
Achievements at Country Level
WFP has furthered the food and nutrition security landscape in Lao PDR through interventions in communities, schools, and health centres. The development of a community-centred approach in coordination with the Government at the sub-national level has led to greater engagement in and results from WFP ' s activities. The move towards the lunch modality for school meals encouraged community members to take part in improving their own food and nutrition security, through participation in WFP-led capacity development, knowledge sharing opportunities, the establishment of vegetable gardens and fish ponds, the construction of dining halls and the renovation of kitchens.
Under the maternal and child health and nutrition( MCHN) project, complementary interventions for the first 1,000 days of children ' s lives contributed to addressing malnutrition through the provision of specialised nutritious foods( Plumpy ' Doz and Nutributter) to supplement the diet of young children as well as pregnant and lactating women. Beneficiaries and their families also received nutrition education from their village health volunteers. The creation of assets ensured the immediate food security of the most vulnerable households in over 100 communities, and contributed to their socioeconomic development.
In preparation for the start of the cash-based transfers( CBT) programme, a multi-sectoral assessment was conducted to gauge the appropriateness of this assistance modality and to identify the possibility of any adverse effects on markets in rural and remote areas.
The significant expansion of WFP ' s partnerships in 2016 has allowed WFP to further strengthen its collaboration with the Government and leverage its long-term relationship as a trusted partner, ensuring synergies, complementarity and efficiency in line with the Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.
Lao People ' s Democratic Republic( LA) 5 Country Programme- 200242