Final Event Marks Successful Completion of USAID-Funded Applied Nutrition Research Capacity Building Project in Laos

Vientiane, Laos, September 25, 2024 - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Government of Laos, proudly announces the successful conclusion of the Applied Nutrition Research Capacity Building (ANRCB) project.  This multi-year initiative, which began in 2019, aimed to address the critical issue of undernutrition in Laos, focusing on institutional strengthening and capacity building in the field of public health nutrition.

The final event brought together government partners, stakeholders, and the international community to celebrate a significant milestone in advancing public health nutrition research and capacity in Laos.  The USAID-funded ANRCB project, implemented by a collaboration of Purdue University, Indiana University, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) via the LASER PULSE Program, helped strengthen the capacity of key Lao institutions responsible for public health nutrition, including the Ministry of Health’s Nutrition Center, the University of Health Sciences and the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute.  These institutions, through targeted training, infrastructure development, and technical collaboration, have been empowered to lead the nation’s efforts in tackling malnutrition.

Over the past five years, the ANRCB project has successfully developed the skills of Lao public health researchers, faculty, and graduate students through comprehensive training programs featuring hands-on learning and mentorship from American academia and international experts.  Significant investments in infrastructure have strengthened the operational capacities of the Center of Nutrition and its partners, improving their ability to implement effective nutrition interventions.  Additionally, collaboration between Lao institutions and international partners has ensured the transfer of vital knowledge and best practices in nutrition research and public health governance.  This strong network of collaboration among Lao institutions, U.S. universities, and global organizations lays the groundwork for sustainable public health nutrition research, ultimately benefiting the Lao population well into the future.

Dr. Kevin Smith, USAID Laos’s Program Director, highlighted the expanding partnership between the United States and the Lao PDR.  “By building local expertise and supporting evidence- based research, we have taken crucial steps toward enabling key institutions to generate better data, data that will improve nutrition and other public health outcomes for vulnerable populations, especially children”, said Dr. Smith.  “I am confident that the strong foundation laid by our Applied Nutrition Research Capacity Building Project will enable the Lao government, with its strengthened institutions, to address not only immediate needs around nutrition, but also future needs as they arise.”

As the project comes to a close, the U.S. government, through USAID, reaffirms its commitment to supporting health and nutrition initiatives in Laos.  The ANRCB project’s outputs, including research publications, training materials, and data, will continue to be available through the project’s permanent archive, ensuring that the resources developed will remain accessible to future generations of researchers and practitioners.

The successful completion of the ANRCB project represents a critical step toward achieving the Lao government's long-term vision of establishing a National Institute of Nutrition.  By building local capacity for nutrition research and public health program implementation, this project has contributed to creating a more resilient health system, capable of responding to the complex challenges of malnutrition.

For more information on the ANRCB project, please visit the official project website: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/ipia/anrcb/index.html

Media Contact:
Kelley Khamphouxay
Program Manager
CRS Laos
Kelley.khamphouxay@crs.org