The United Nations in Lao People’s Democratic Republic is deeply saddened by the news people reported missing and dead as a result of floods in Attapeu Province and other provinces in the country. We are working with the government and humanitarian partners to respond to the immediate needs of affected families.
The Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic declared Samanxay District of Attapeu Province as a National Emergency Disaster Zone on 24 July following a visit by the Prime Minister, Mr Thongloun Sisoulith and several cabinet ministers including the Minister for Health, Associate Professor Dr Bounkong Syhavong to the affected flood areas.
A Prime Minister’s Notice of National Disaster on 24 July 2018 requested for assistance from international and mass organizations to the victims of the Xepien-Xenamnoy Hydropower dam construction project incident in Attapeu Province.
According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, 1732 households or around 6331 people were affected by the flood. More than 550 families have been evacuated and have registered to stay at temporary emergency shelters.
Many areas remain inaccessible. The most urgent needs are food, shelter and clean water. An initial impact assessment highlighted the need for emergency shelter for 1300 families including tents and family kits, and personal hygiene kits for about 6000 people. Beyond the immediate impact, the floods will have a longer term effect on the livelihoods and health of these families.
The Regional Director of the Western Pacific Region, Dr Shin Young-soo sent a sympathy letter and expressed WHO readiness to support the recovery efforts.
WHO lead the health cluster and shared the contingency plan on flood with the government. WHO staff will also participate in inter-cluster, inter-sectoral coordination meeting with water, sanitation, and hygiene and nutrition cluster for integrated response action. WHO staff has been assigned to join Ministry of Health rapid assessment team to the field.
The United Nations has expressed its readiness to support the Government on the ground and to work in close coordination with humanitarian partners in Lao PDR to respond to immediate needs of affected families. The cluster network will coordinate response activities from UN agencies, key stakeholders including iNGOs, donors and partners in the network. The needs of the villagers in Samanxay District remain top priority.
To read more:
Sympathy letter from the Regional Director