The World Bank has approved the second phase of a project to support improving the quality of health and nutrition services in poor and rural areas of Laos.

The objective of the Second Health and Nutrition Services Access Project for Laos is to improve equitable access, utilization, and quality of health and nutrition services in target areas and provide immediate response in case of a crisis or emergency, according to Lao News Agency report on Monday.

The project features funding from the Australian government, the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (Gavi), and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

According to the report, around a third of Lao children are stunted by poor nutrition, and around 7,000 Lao children die before reaching their fifth birthday every year.

The report said that the project will help local authorities work with villagers to address high birth rates among adolescents, poor diets and feeding practices among mothers.

It will also expand services such as family planning, water supply and sanitation, according to the report.

The Country Manager of the World Bank Laos, Alexander Kremer, said that one of the enduring challenges in Laos is to bring health and nutrition services to the large number of people living in remote villages. This project will renew efforts to provide more and better services in rural communities.

Lao Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith said the second phase of this project will bring more services and raise awareness of crucial health issues to families in poor and rural areas of the country.