The ceremonial handover was held on 7 November 2024 in Vientiane for 902-MT rice donation from the People’s Republic of China (P.R.China), Japan and the Republic of Korea through the APTERR Tier 3 programme to assist people affected by devastating floodings across Lao PDR.
Representatives of the Lao government, led by Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Ms. Baykham Khattiya and Deputy Minister Agriculture and Forestry Mr. Thongphath Vongmany, welcomed distinguished participants, Japanese Ambassador Mr. KOIZUMI Tsutomo, Korean Ambassador Mr. Jung Yung Soo, Counselor Mr. Liang Dazong from the Chinese Embassy, World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director Mr. Naoki MAEGAWA, APTERR General Manager Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, Japanese Expert Mr. Akinori Ando and other APTERR staff.
Dr. Karnjanakesorn express appreciation to the Lao government, the WFP, and related agencies for their efforts in relieve the suffering of those affected by devastating flooding. He also extended his gratitude to the Governments of P.R. China, Japan and the ROK for their steadfast support of Tier 3. APTERR’s success in strengthening food security and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would not be possible without the generous contributions of those Plus Three.
The 902-MT rice- 300 MT from P.R. China, 202 MT (including 2 MT of pre-cooked rice) from Japan and 400 MT from the ROK, is part of a total stockpile of 1,122 MT (300 MT from P.R. China, 322 MT from Japan and 500 MT from the ROK 500 MT), prepositioned in Lao PDR under the FY 2023 Tier 3 programme since early this year to enhance emergency response preparedness.
The Plus Three are continually providing rice assistance to Lao PDR for this year’s contribution in a total of 3,700 MT: 400 MT from China, 300 MT from Japan and 3,000 MT from the ROK. The rice will start delivering to the country from end of the year to early next year for emergency response preparedness in Lao PDR.
