Emergency response to devastating floods in Laos

Thank you for your support of our ‘Laos Flood Appeal’ through GlobalGiving. The assistance we have received since the flood last summer has meant that we were able to aid the displaced communities by providing medical care, shelter and vaccinations, amongst other essentials, in the months immediately following the disaster.

The figures from a recent UN Information Bulletin on the disaster estimated that 2,382 villages, 126,736 families, 616,145 people were directly affected. With so much farmland damaged, particularly rice paddy fields, the communities returning after the devastation struggle to grow staple crops. The area’s fields were submerged for two months, meaning that the last harvest was obliterated. Ensuring ongoing community resilience will be a key part of our work in the following months. With the swelling of the river becoming an annual occurrence, it will be vital to ensure that people are prepared for the next rainy season. As the UN reported recently ‘There is nothing mighty about malnutrition, no matter how admirably people have adjusted to it. The impact of climate hazards can be alleviated, but it will require more targeted, quick and active involvement of public institutions and international organizations.’ Link to article.

We remain one of only three NGOs present in Attapeu, and the priority amongst our staff on the ground is still health and hygiene education in order to stop disease outbreaks. Our work in Laos spans 24 years and our staff are local to the area; local knowledge and integration allow Health Poverty Action to be more effective in our efforts.

Your support has ensured that communities have been provided with Non-Food Items  (i.e. essential household items such as blankets, plastic sheets, containers for water, cooking items and soap), hygiene kits and medicines. information, education and materials to demonstrate how the prevention of illnesses is possible.

Whilst news of the flood has disappeared from our newspapers and televisions, its repercussions are still widely felt in Southern Laos. It remains essential to help people rebuild after the destruction, return to their homes and restore their livelihoods. We are committed to the continued, long-term support of the affected communities with a focus on strengthening health systems, managing disease outbreaks, ensuring food security, restoring livelihoods, and improving access to water and sanitation.

With thanks,

Verity and the team at Health Poverty Action