Quang Ngai Department of Foreign Affairs has early in February 2010 signed an MOU with Academy for Educational Development (AED) on collaborating in implementation of Alive & Thrive Project in Quang Ngai province in period 2010 – 2013.

The project goals is to contribute to improving nutrition status of children by promoting breastfeeding and complementary feeding services and practices for children from 0 to 24 months old. Specific objectives consist of double the current rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the province in the first 6 months; reduce stunting rate in children under 2 by 2% per year at least and improve proper complementary feeding in terms of both quality and quantity of foods.

AED-funded Alive & Thrive Project shall earmark some US$ 150,000 for its activities in Quang Ngai, one of 18 provinces of Vietnam under the program.

Quang Ngai Department of Health is reported to have been finalizing all formalities for the project to be implemented soon.

Dai Kiet