Nutrition assessment conducted in Bokeo Province with support from the Local development programme

A nutrition assessment, launched on 16 September 2025, was carried out in 53 targeted villages across Bokeo Province. The initiative represents a collaborative effort between the District Nutrition Secretariats and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, through the Local development programme. The activity aims to strengthen local capacity in monitoring nutritional status and will be expanded to the remaining programme districts and provinces in the coming months.

The assessment focused on determining the nutritional status of children under five, specifically examining rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight, while also identifying the underlying causes of malnutrition in each community. The findings will serve as essential baseline data to inform and measure the impact of upcoming social and behaviour change communication interventions. They will also support evidence-based decision-making and ensure that future interventions are well-targeted, ultimately contributing to the sustainable improvement of child nutrition and well-being.

Through the Local development programme, Luxembourg is supporting capacity building for District Nutrition Committees and Secretariats, as well as village health workers, to strengthen coordination and implement effective nutrition interventions. This support includes promoting evidence-based planning and social behaviour change to improve nutrition outcomes at the village level.

The Local development programme is co-financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland. It is jointly implemented by the Lao Ministry of Finance (formerly the Ministry of Planning and Investment) and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.