Evaluering
Namchouam and Meung Rural Development Project, 2002-2004
The Namchouam and Mung Rural Development Project evolved from the "Drug Supply and Demand Reduction in Border Areas of North-western Laos" Project funded by Norwegian MFA though the United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). That latter project started in 1993 as a tripartite cooperation between UNDCP, the Lao Government and the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) andoperated in Bokeo and Luang Namtha. For the second phase of the project, UNDCP decided to cease operations in Namchouam, Bokeo province, as opium cultivation in the area's target villages was reduced to nil. In Bokeo, the project would continue in Mung district only. The decision disagreed with NCA's policy of long-term commitment as it had been working only for a short period of time in the area. NCA therefore negotiated an agreement with the Lao government in order to continue development activities as a separate project: the Namchouam and Mung Rural Development Project. This evaluation deals with the third phase of the project.