\section{Operational Context}
Lao PDR is a least developed country, ranking 140 out of 189 countries in the 2018 Human Development Index. It has one of the lowest population densities in Asia. 23 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line (USD 1.25/day), with a gross national income per capita of USD 2,270 (World Bank 2017). The country is ranked 64 out of 144 in the Global Gender Gap Index 2017. While Lao PDR has managed to reduce the proportion of hungry poor to 23 percent prior to 2017, the 2017 Global Hunger Index still rates hunger levels as ``serious''.

Climate change is a key challenge facing rural livelihoods, and the country is vulnerable to climate change due to its low adaptability and its dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources. Changing climate patterns, combined with poor access to both markets and diverse livelihoods, further worsen the situation in remote upland areas, where 25 percent of households are food insecure.

WFP has been present in Lao PDR since 1975.

Population: 6.5 million

Income level: Lower middle

Human Development Index: 139 out of 189 (inconsistent)

Chronic malnutrition: 33\% of children between 6--59

\section{In Numbers}
US\$ 1.55 million six-month (Feb -- Jul 2020) net funding requirements

327.63 mt of food distributed

147,373 people assisted

48\% women, 52\% men

\section{Operational Updates}
\begin{itemize}
\item WFP, supported by various stakeholders including the National Nutrition Center, identified a range of nutrient-dense food crops that are suitable for children under 5 years, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. These crops will help gain ``quick wins'' in diets, as they will supply important nutrients to groups which are vulnerable to health issues related to malnutrition.

\item WFP signed a partnership agreement with the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction to provide technical assistance on climate-smart and community-driven school feeding. Through the partnership, WFP will establish five climate-smart villages. These villages will serve as learning sites for testing and scaling climate-smart and resilient practices, while also supporting community-driven school feeding. Currently, WFP is testing a weather pattern board in the villages to raise awareness on changes in climate and potential agriculture impacts.

\item In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), WFP delivered a training on how to access local climate and agro-meteorological data to 20 primary school teachers from five schools in Laongarm District, Saravan Province. This data will help trainees to ensure that their communities adapt their agricultural practices to any changing climate demands.

\item WFP signed a partnership with Room to Read to deliver books to 16 target schools in Phouvong District of Attapeu province. This initiative fosters reading habits, increases the capacity of teachers to implement reading promotion activities, and increases students' attendance after lunch.

\item The Deputy Minister of Education and Sports led a high-level joint monitoring visit with WFP to the northern provinces, in order to strengthen WFP's handover of the school feeding programme. A main aim of the visit was to ensure that the programme becomes a significant part of the Government's social safety net and strategy to reach zero hunger.
\end{itemize}