HANOI, April 24. /TASS/. Russia has provided Laos with food assistance through the United Nations World Food Program, the Russian Embassy in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) reported to TASS.

"Russian Ambassador to Laos, Vladimir Kalinin, participated in the official ceremony of handing over Russian humanitarian aid (149 tons of canned fish worth $2 million) delivered to Laos by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations with the support of the UN World Food Program," the ministry said. During his speech, the ambassador highlighted the Russian side's contribution to humanitarian efforts in Laos, including in healthcare, human capital development, professional training, and humanitarian demining. The diplomat confirmed Russia's readiness to continue charitable projects in the Lao PDR, such as the reconstruction of the Russian-Lao friendship hospital Mittaphab and the construction of a Russian-Lao school in Vientiane.

In return, the Minister of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR, Phut Simmalavong, expressed appreciation to Russia for the food aid, which will be used to support school meals in Laos' remote provinces of Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, and Phongsali, benefiting 50,000 students. The minister emphasized that this initiative is "an important contribution to the joint celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and reaffirmed the commitment to further broad development of ties with Russia, a long-standing and reliable partner of the Lao PDR," the Russian Embassy in Vientiane stated.