Operation Evaluation

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Operation Evaluation measuring results, sharing lessons sharing measuring results, OPERATION EVALUATION Lao People’s Democratic Republic: CP 200242 A Mid-Term Evaluation of WFP’s Country Programme 2012-2015 Evaluation Report July 2014 Prepared by: David Coombs, Team Leader/ Agriculture and Food Security Specialist; Caroline Tanner, Nutrition / School Feeding Specialist; Thongdeuane Nanthanavone, Capacity Development /Institutional Strengthening Specialist Evaluation Manager: Martin Fisher Commissioned by the WFP Office of Evaluation Report number: OEV/2014/03 Report number: OE/20XX/XXX this number will be inserted by OEV Admin Assistant Acknowledgements The evaluation team sincerely thanks the WFP Lao PDR Country Office for the efficient facilitation of the evaluation process. The staff generously afforded their time to support the team with excellent planning and logistics and to provide relevant information. Our gratitude also goes to all stakeholders (government authorities, the donor community, the United Nations agencies, the operating partners and other non-governmental organizations, the beneficiaries and civil society), who dedicated their time to participate in informative discussions and contributed significantly to the findings of the evaluation. David Coombs, Caroline Tanner and Thongdeuane (Tick) Nanthanavone Disclaimer The opinions expressed are those of the Evaluation Team, and do not necessarily reflect those of the World Food Programme. Responsibility for the opinions expressed in this report rests solely with the authors. Publication of this document does not imply endorsement by WFP of the opinions expressed. The designation employed and the presentation of material in the maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WFP concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers. Evaluation Management Evaluation Manager: Martin Fisher, the KonTerra Group Evaluation Focal Point, WFP: Anette Wilhelmsen, OEV Operation Evaluations Focal Point: Claire Conan, OEV A full list of acronyms used is included as Annex 1. ii Table of Contents Operational Factsheet .............................................................................................................................. iv Operational Map .................................................................................................................................... viii Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... ix 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Evaluation Features ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Evaluation Methodology ............................................................................................................ 2 1.3. Lao PDR Country context ........................................................................................................... 3 1.4. WFP’s Operational Overview for the Lao PDR CP 200242 ....................................................... 5 2. Evaluation Findings ................................................................................................. 7 2.1. Appropriateness ......................................................................................................................... 7 2.2. Results ...................................................................................................................................... 16 2.3. Factors affecting the results ..................................................................................................... 33 3. Conclusions and recommendations ....................................................................... 36 3.1. Overall Assessment ..................................................................................................................36 3.2. Recommendations ....................................................................................................................39 Annex 1: List of Acronyms .....................................................................................................................43 Annex 2: Terms of Reference ................................................................................................................. 45 Annex 3: Evaluation Field Schedule ..................................................................................................... 60 Annex 4: List of people met .................................................................................................................. 62 Annex 5: Evaluation Approach and Methodology ................................................................................ 66 Annex 6: Evaluation Matrix .................................................................................................................. 69 Annex 7: Original Log Frame for CP ...................................................................................................... 76 Annex 8: Ration Scales for WFP Lao PDR – Components 2 (MCHN) and 3 (SM) ............................... 78 Annex 9: Bibliography ........................................................................................................................... 79 List of Tables Table 1: Timeline of Recent Events in Lao PDR ..................................................................................... vii Table 2: Budget Revisions - CP 200242 ................................................................................................... 5 Table 3: Total Food and Cash requirements by component (mt) ............................................................ 5 Table 4: Emergency response beneficiaries, planned vs actual ............................................................ 17 Table 5: EPR Component, commodities planned vs actual (mt) .......................................................... 18 Table 6: Gender breakdown in emergency distributions....................................................................... 18 Table 7: Performance indicators for Component 2 ............................................................................... 20 Table 8: MCHN beneficiaries: Planned and actual against CP targets .................................................. 21 Table 9: MCHN sites and 6-23 mo beneficiaries: planned vs. actual ..................................................... 21 Table 10: MCHN sites and beneficiary targets (PLWs): planned vs. actual, 2013 .................................22 Table 11: School feeding: Progress against beneficiary and delivery targets .......................................... 25 Table 12: School feeding: Progress against indicators ........................................................................... 26 Table 13: Component 4 - LIN: Actual vs. planned beneficiaries ........................................................... 29 Table 14: Component 4 - LIN: Commodity distributions ...................................................................... 29 Table 15: Direct Support Costs for actual vs. planned distributions ......................................................34 iii Operational Factsheet Type / Number / Lao PDR – Country Programme – CP 200242 – (2012-2015) Title Approval The operation was approved by the Executive Board in November 2011 There have been four Budget Revisions to the initial project document to increase the Amendments LTSH rates, to change the DSC component, and to include emergency response modality. [See para 23 for details and dates]. Initial: Four year period Jan 2012 – Duration Revised: No change December 2015 Planned Initial: 751,000 Revised: 894,514 beneficiaries Planned food Initial: In-kind food: 37,140 mt Revised: In-kind food: 41,827 mt requirements Cash & vouchers: US$1.2 million US$ requirements Initial: US$68.9 million Revised: US$76.8 million OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Corporate Strategic Operation specific objectives1 Activities objectives Strategic Component 1: Early warning - Capacity development of the Government in Objective 2 systems, contingency plans and disaster preparedness and response food security monitoring systems - General food distribution and supplemental are in place and enhanced with feeding as emergency response WFP capacity development support2 Strategic Component 2 and 3: Improved - Provision of rice incentive for Objective 4 nutritional status of target groups pregnant/lactating women at health centres of women, girls and boys - Provision of Plumpy’Doz for children 6-23 months and Nutributter for pregnant/ Component 3: Increased access to lactating women at the village level education and human capital development in targeted schools - Provision of mid-morning snack for children and hunger. and hunger. aged 3-10 at pre- and primary schools with Component 4: Adequate food nutrition-related messages consumption reached over - Provision of take-home rations for informal assistance period for targeted border students (primary and secondary households schools) Component 5: Increased - Home-grown school feeding programme production capacity for fortified Economic Development Plan (20112015) and the United Nations Nations United the and (20112015) Plan Development Economic - Purchase for Progress (P4P) activities - foods, including complementary Development Assistance Framework (20122015), and supports the the supports
Recommended publications
  • 8Th FIVE-YEAR NATIONAL SOCIO- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic Peace Independence Unity Prosperity 8th FIVE-YEAR NATIONAL SOCIO- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN (2016–2020) (Officially approved at the VIIIth National Assembly’s Inaugural Session, 20–23 April 2016, Vientiane) Ministry of Planning and Investment June 2016 8th FIVE-YEAR NATIONAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN (2016–2020) (Officially approved at the VIIIth National Assembly’s Inaugural Session, 20–23 April 2016, Vientiane) Ministry of Planning and Investment June 2016 FOREWORD The 8th Five-Year National Socio-economic Development Plan (2016–2020) “8th NSEDP” is a mean to implement the resolutions of the 10th Party Conference that also emphasizes the areas from the previous plan implementation that still need to be achieved. The Plan also reflects the Socio-economic Development Strategy until 2025 and Vision 2030 with an aim to build a new foundation for graduating from LDC status by 2020 to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030. Therefore, the 8th NSEDP is an important tool central to the assurance of the national defence and development of the party’s new directions. Furthermore, the 8th NSEDP is a result of the Government’s breakthrough in mindset. It is an outcome- based plan that resulted from close research and, thus, it is constructed with the clear development outcomes and outputs corresponding to the sector and provincial development plans that should be able to ensure harmonization in the Plan performance within provided sources of funding, including a government budget, grants and loans,
    [Show full text]
  • 25-6 Drainage System
    Final Report The Study on Vientiane Water Supply Development Project Figure 25-6 Drainage System Legend River, Canal, Trench, Natural Swamp Planned Drain Cannal Reservoir Irrigation Canal Thatluang Irrigation Pumping Station Swamp Boundary of Master Plan Source: Vientiane Urban Development Master Plan, Urban Research Institute, MCTPC 2 - 43 Final Report The Study on Vientiane Water Supply Development Project 2.5.3 GDP Projection An accurate long-term projection of the GDP is necessary for formulating the future framework of the socio-economic structure in the project sites. Official economic projections in “Five-year National Development Plan 2001-2005” and “Long-term Development Plan 2001-2020” were described in Section 5.1. The Five-year Plan has a more specific projection that includes sectoral scenarios, but the “Long-term Plan” shows overall targets for the year 2020. In this study, then, the future projections are based on the “Five-year Plan” projection scenario. The criteria for the projection are assumed as follows. (1) That major sectors grow at the following annual rates until 2005 as proposed in the “Five-year Plan”: 4.5% in the agricultural sector, 10.5% in the industrial sector, 8.5% in the services sector and a 7.0% rise from import duties. As a result, the GDP is expected to grow at 7.0% per annum on average during the planned period. (2) That after 2005, the respective sectors grow at the same rates as set in the “Five-year Plan” until the target year 2020. The GDP projected with the above assumptions are shown in Table 25-1.
    [Show full text]
  • UXO/Mine Action in Lao PDR
    2014 ANNUAL REPORT This document acts as Annual Report of the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action in Lao PDR. For further information, please contact the: National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector in Lao PDR (NRA) Sisangvone Village, P.O. Box 7621, Unit 19, Saysettha District, Vientiane, Lao PDR Website: www.nra.gov.la Telephone: (856-21) 262386 Donation for UXO victims: your support can make a difference. Your contribution to the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action in Lao PDR can support for families and children whose lives have been suffered by the UXO from the Indo-China War. For how to give, please contact Victim Assistance Unit of the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action in Lao PDR, Mr. Bountao Chanthavongsa via email: [email protected] Compiled and designed by: Vilavong SYSAVATH and Olivier BAUDUIN Photos: Photos that appear in the Operator Reports, unless individually credited, were taken by and are the property of that Operator. All other photos in this report, unless individually creditied, have been taken by the following people - Vilavong SYSAVATH Acknowledgements: The NRA would like to thank all UXO/Mine Action Sector Operators who provided images and information on their projects and activities in 2014 for this report. The NRA Programme and Public Relations Unit would also like to acknowledge the support and effort put in by all Members of the NRA team in helping to compile the UXO Sector Annual Report 2014. This report may be subject to change after publication. To find out more about changes, errors, or omissions please visit the website: www.nra.gov.la.
    [Show full text]
  • Presentation on Champasak Provincial Development Plan (ENGLISH)
    Implementation of the Socio-Economic Development Plan as of September 2017, Plans for 2018; Vision for 2030 and 10-year Development Strategy (2016-2025). Presented by: Mr. Saythong Xayavong Head of Provincial Department of Planning and Investment, Champasack Province 1 1. Implementation of the Socio-Economic Development Plan as of September 2017 2 Outcome 1: Economic Dimension GDP Growth Item 2016 2017 target Implemented as of September 2017 Gross Domestic 12,744 billion Kips 14,106 billion Kips 8,900 billion Kips Product GDP 8.04% 8.11% 6.67% (achieved 82.3%) 9 8.5 8.11 8 7.5 7 8.04 6.5 6.67 6 5.5 5 4.5 4 GDP 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 2016 2017 target Implemented as of Sept 2017 3 GDP per capita 2,500 2,468 2016 2,224 2,000 2017 target 1,500 1,519 1,000 GDP per 500 capita (in US $) - 2016 2017 target Implemented as of Sept 2017 4 Change of Economic Structure 40.2 41.7 45 39.4 35.1 40 34.5 33.5 35 26.1 30 24.7 24.7 25 Agriculture-Forestry % 20 15 Industry % 10 Services % 5 0 2016 2017 target Implemented as of Sept 2017 5 Revenue-Expenditure 1,600.0 Revenue (billion Kips) 1,400.0 1,376.13 Expenditure (billion Kips) 1,200.0 1,236.3 9.76% of GDP 1,000.0 9.7% of GDP 906.47 800.0 767.3 705 600.0 10.19% of GDP 400.0 5.44% of 492.52 5.53% of GDP GDP 200.0 5.53% of GDP - 2016 2017 target Implemented as of Sept 2017 6 Use of resources in the Socio-Economic development of Champasack Province Implemented as Item 2016 Plans for 2017 of Sept 2017 119,05 billion 97,92 billion Public Investment 132,12 billion Kips Kips Kips Official Development 133,76
    [Show full text]
  • IEE: Lao PDR: Pakse Urban Environmental Improvement Project
    Pakse Urban Environmental Improvement Project INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION Department of Public Works and Transport (DPWT) in Champasack province and Pakse Urban Development Administration Authority (UDAA) Updated on 12 April 2012 Prepared with assistance from ADB TA 7567-LAO i Table of Contents Abbreviations, Currency Equivalent I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 11 A. Purpose of the Report 1 B. Pakse Urban Environmental Improvement Project 1 C. City-wide Urban Environmental Improvements 2 D. Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 3 E. Information Disclosure, Consultation and Participation 4 F. Grievance Redress Mechanism 5 G. Environmental Management Plan 6 H. Conclusion and Recommendation 7 II. POLICY, LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK 8 A. Policy and Legal Framework 8 B. International Environmental Conventions 9 C. Administrative Framework 10 III. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 12 A. The Project 12 B. City-wide Urban Environmental improvements 12 C. Category and Requirements 13 D. Need for the Project 16 E. Locations and Description of Sites 16 F. Implementation Schedule 23 G. Subproject Layouts 23 IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT 26 A. Physical /Chemical Environment 26 1. Climate 26 2. Climate Change 27 3. Air Quality and Noise 28 4. Topography and Soils 28 5. Surface Water 29 6. Groundwater 29 7. Geology and Seismology 29 8. Other Natural Hazards 30 B. Biological Environment 30 1. Forests and National Bio-diversity Conservation Areas 30 2. Aquatic Resources 31 C. Economic Environment 31 D. Socio-economic Environment 32 1. Population 32 2. Ethnic Minorities 32 3. Income and Employment 32 4. Poverty 33 5. Health 33 6. Education 34 7. Access to Basic Infrastructure and Security of Tenure 34 E.
    [Show full text]
  • Thammasat Institute of Area Studies (TIARA), Thammasat University
    No. 06/ 2017 Thammasat Institute of Area Studies WORKING PAPER SERIES 2017 Regional Distribution of Foreign Investment in Lao PDR Chanthida Ratanavong December, 2017 THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY PAPER NO. 09 / 2017 Thammasat Institute of Area Studies, Thammasat University Working Paper Series 2017 Regional Distribution of Foreign Investment in Lao PDR Chanthida Ratanavong Thammasat Institute of Area Studies, Thammasat University 99 Moo 18 Khlongnueng Sub District, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani, 12121, Thailand ©2017 by Chanthida Ratanavong. All rights reserved. Short sections of text, not to exceed two paragraphs, may be quoted without explicit permission provided that full credit including © notice, is given to the source. This publication of Working Paper Series is part of Master of Arts in Asia-Pacific Studies Program, Thammasat Institute of Area Studies (TIARA), Thammasat University. The view expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Institute. For more information, please contact Academic Support Unit, Thammasat Institute of Area Studies (TIARA), Patumthani, Thailand Telephone: +02 696 6605 Fax: + 66 2 564-2849 Email: [email protected] Language Editors: Mr Mohammad Zaidul Anwar Bin Haji Mohamad Kasim Ms. Thanyawee Chuanchuen TIARA Working papers are circulated for discussion and comment purposes. Comments on this paper should be sent to the author of the paper, Ms. Chanthida Ratanavong, Email: [email protected] Or Academic Support Unit (ASU), Thammasat Institute of Area Studies, Thammasat University Abstract The surge of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is considered to be significant in supporting economic development in Laos, of which, most of the investments are concentrated in Vientiane.
    [Show full text]
  • Champasak Province
    - 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 9 Investment Opportunities in LAOS CHAMPASAK PROVINCE Champasak Province Sky-rocketing FDIs since 2000 Untapped business potentials Strategic Location “The emerging Resource rich – low cost investment destina- Attractive Incentives tion in South East One Stop Shop Service Unit Asia” Conducive Investment Climate TABLE of CONTENTS Welcoming Address by the Governor 3 Champasak Province: Dynamism and Profile of the Local Economy 4 Geographic Location & Economic Data 5 Investment Climate 6 Foreign Direct Investment 7 Economic Map of Champasak Province 8 Foreign and Domestic Investment Calling List 9 Priority Investment Areas: Tourism, Agri-Business, Industry 12 Investment Incentives 16 Overview of Facilities and Costs 17 Human Resources 19 Financial Services 21 22 Quality of Life Official Agencies in Champasak Province 23 Welcoming Address by the Governor of Champasak Province s a result of the implementation of the socio-economic development A plan in the fiscal year 2007/2008, Champasak Province has seen an over- all increasing trend: Estimated income per capita rose from US$ 606 in 2006/2007 to US$ 730 in 2007/2008. At provincial level, poverty rate remains at 5% of a total of 107,092 families. In addition the GDP growth rate over the last ten years is very promising. Macro-economic indicators, embracing government‘s policies and objectives - have accomplished a considerable satisfactory level. Governor of Champasak Province Champasak Province authority in particular works hard to reduce poverty and to improve livelihood in rural areas. Provincial leaders together with departments, committees and relevant sectors, as well as the central government bodies, have put all their efforts in seeking additional funds for the provincial budget and utilizing all means for in- vestments into some fundamental infrastructures.
    [Show full text]
  • Focus on Champasak Province
    Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized TRADE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY SCOPING STUDY ON CROSS- BORDER AGRIBUSINESS IN LAO PDR: FOCUS ON CHAMPASAK PROVINCE FINANCED BY: TRADE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY MULTI DONOR TRUST FUND (TDF-MDTF) FINAL REPORT 31 AUGUST 2009 Government of Lao PDR Department of Production and Trade Promotion, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Government of Lao PDR National Implementation Unit, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Government of Lao PDR Australia European Commission The World Bank This report was prepared for the National Implementation Unit, the Department of Production and Trade Promotion, Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the World Bank, with resources from the Trade Development Facility - a multi donor trust fund financed by Australia and the European Commission, and administered by the World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of the Lao PDR, the Government of Australia, the European Commission or the World Bank. SCOPING STUDY ON CROSSBORDER AGRIBUSINESS IN LAO PDR: 2 FOCUS ON CHAMPASAK PROVINCE Economic development in our country is based on a market mechanism towards socialism. Accordingly, it requires acceleration in upgrading the efficiency of state management to ensure development towards the set target and consistent with the potentials of our country. In doing so, first of all, we will have to urgently improve the legal system
    [Show full text]
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
    LAO PEOPLE‟S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRATIC UNITY PROSPERITY Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry POVERTY REDUCTION FUND PHASE III ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT (January – December 2018) Nahaidiao Rd, P.O.Box 4625 Vientiane, Lao PRF Tel: +856(0)21 261479-80 Fax: +856(0)21 261481 Website: www.prflaos.org February 2019 Abbreviations AWPB Annual Work Plan and Budget AFN Agriculture for Nutrition CD Community Development CDD Community Driven Development CFA Community Force Account CLTS Community-Lead Total Sanitation DAFO District Agriculture and Forestry Office Deepen CDD Deepen Community Driven Development DPO District Planning Office DRM Disaster Risks Management DSEDP District Social Economic Development Plan EM Energy And Mine FRM Feedback and Resolution Mechanism GESI Gender Equity and Social Inclusion GOL Government of Lao GIS Geography information system GPAR Governance Public Administration Reform HH Household(s) HR Human Resource IE Internal Evaluation IEC Information, Education, Communication IGA Income Generating Activities IFAD International Fund for Agriculture Development KBF Kum Ban Facilitator KDPs Kum Ban Development Plans KPIs Key Performance Indicators LAK Lao Kip (Lao Currency) LN Livelihood and Nutrition LWU Lao Women Union LYU Lao Youth Union M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MIS Management information system MTR Mid-Term Review NGPES National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy NCRDPE National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication NGOs None Governmental Organizations NPL Non Performance
    [Show full text]
  • [Draft Implementing Decree for New FIL]
    Authentic in Lao Only LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity Prime Minister’s office No. 301/PM Vientiane Capital, dated 12 October 2005 Decree of the Prime Minister Regarding the Implementation of The Law on the Promotion of Foreign Investment - Pursuant to the Law on the Government of the Lao PDR No. 02/NA, dated 6 May 2003; - Pursuant to the Law on the Promotion of Foreign Investment No. 11/NA, dated 22 October 2004; - Referencing to the proposal of the President of the Committee for Planning and Investment. SECTION I General Provisions Article 1. Objective This Decree is set out to implement the Law on the Promotion of Foreign Investment correctly to the objectives and uniformly throughout the country on the principles, methods and measures regarding the promotion, protection, inspection, resolution of disputes, policies towards productive persons and measures against the violators. Article 2. Legal Guarantees The State provides legal guarantees to foreign investors who are established under the Law on the Promotion of Foreign Investment as follows: 2.1 administer by Law and regulation on the basis of equality and mutual interests; 2.2 undertake all of the State’s obligations under the laws, international treaties in which the State is a party, the Agreement Regarding the Page 1 of 61 Promotion and Protection of Foreign Investment and the agreements that the government has signed with the foreign investor; 2.3 do not interfere with the legally business operation of foreign investors. Article 3. Capital Contribution which is an Intellectual Property The State recognizes the shared capital contribution of the enterprises which is an intellectual property; the evaluation of the intellectual property value shall be determined in detail by the scope of rights, obligations and interest in the resolution of a shareholders’ meeting and the business joint venture agreement of the enterprise.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix: Current Situation of Urban Sectors
    Appendix: Current Situation of Urban Sectors Preparatory Survey on Formulation of Basic Strategies for Regional Core Cities Development in Lao People’s Democratic Republic Final Report Appendix A-1 Regional Setting 1.1 Geography Located in the central area of Indochinese Peninsula, the country of Lao PDR occupies 23.7 thousand square kilometers of surface area. The countries in the Peninsula have been enriched in cultures and economies in the long history. Although there had been a series of conflicts after the colonial age, these countries are integrating their economies under the scheme of AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area) and GMS (Greater Mekong Sub region) Program. AFTA is an effort to lower institutional barriers to promote trade and investment within ASEAN countries. GMS Program facilitates infrastructure development and institutional development at multinational and bilateral basis. One of the tools of GMS Program is corridor development, which is based on several designated international routes. EWEC (East West Economic Corridor), the pilot program of this corridor development system, traverses the Indochinese Peninsula as in FigureTable 1.1 Source: JST Figure 1.1 PDR and Corridor System The natural geography of Lao PDR is characterized by the Mekong River and Annamese Mountain Range. These formulate national boundaries in many parts of country and all major cities are located along the Mekong. The plain is limited to the area along the Mekong and the almost cities are located in the small area along the Mekong. The largest plain is around Vientiane and the plain in Kaysone Phomvihane follows it. 1 Preparatory Survey on Formulation of Basic Strategies for Regional Core Cities Development in Lao People’s Democratic Republic Final Report Appendix 1.2 Socio-economy 1.2.1 Population Table 1.1 indicates population and its annual average growth rates in census years.
    [Show full text]
  • Deep Pools in the Mekong River
    ISSN 0859-290X, Vol. 7, No. 1 – September 2001 DEEP POOLS IN THE MEKONG RIVER Anders F. Poulsen and John Valbo-Jorgensen* Recent studies have indicated the very important role that deep pools have in the ecology of the Mekong River. They serve as dry season refuges for many species of fish, as permanent habitats for others, and they form an important link between habitats for migrating fishes. Many local communities have recognized their importance in fisheries terms, and have established management measures to protect them. Some deep pools downstream of dams have been lost in just a few years as a consequence of changes in flow regimes and siltation. One of the driving forces for fisheries ecological processes in the Mekong is the physical separation of important habitats (feeding, spawning and nursery areas, and dry season refuges). The vast floodplains associated with the lower Mekong are the feeding and rearing habitat for the majority of commercially important fish species. As floodwaters recede at the end of the monsoon season, it is crucial that fishes can seek refuge in dry season habitats. In general, dry season habitats are associated with the main river channels and with permanent water bodies on the floodplain. Within the main river channels, deeper sections of the river are used by a large number of species during the dry season. These are known as deep pools. Most of the information reported here relates to deep pools on the main river, but deep pools on tributaries are equally important. What is a deep pool? A deep pool is a confined, relatively deep area within a river channel, which acts as a dry season refuge for a number of important fish species, and as a permanent habitat for other species.
    [Show full text]