Khamphone Syvongxay Vientiane Times Publication Date : 08-11-2011
The Lao government needs US$141.9 million for flood rehabilitation following tropical storms Haima and Nock-Ten that brought destruction to Laos in June and August this year.
Representatives of the government, donors and nongovernment workers gathered in Vientiane last week to discuss the report on the assessment of the impacts and needs arising from the storms.
Typhoons Haima and Nock-Ten swept through Laos bringing heavy rain, causing widespread flooding and soil erosion in 12 provinces including Bolikhamxay, Xayaboury, Vientiane, Xieng Khuang, Khammuan, Savannakhet, Cha mpassak as well as the capital.
The floods caused extensive damage to livelihoods, private property, irrigation systems, roads and bridges, hospitals, schools and agriculture.
More than 429,954 people in 1,790 villages in 96 districts of the 12 provinces were directly affected by the disaster. Moreover, at least 30 people were killed, according to the National Disaster Management Office report.
Against this backdrop, the government has undertaken rapid measures to respond to the severe situation by various ways and means, Minister of Planning and Investment Somdy Douangdy said in his analysis.
He said political efforts at the highest level were made including visits to the worst affected areas by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers to perform on the spot assessments of the impacts of the flooding.
At the time of need, resources were mobilised by all sectors including the government, civil servants, military, police, private sector, foreign expatriates and local communities to ensure help reached the most needy and severely affected people.
"Immediate actions including the provision of food, drinking water and other necessities helped those most in need," said Somdy.
These immediate responses by the government cost 100 billion kip (US$12.5 million), which was sourced internally.
However, these efforts fall far short of the cost of damage and loss caused by the storms, which will continue to hamper the fragile livelihoods of local people and have long term impacts on their daily lives and on the economy as a whole.
"It is, therefore, in this time of difficulty that the Lao government and people seek support and assistance from friendly countries, international organisations, INGOs and other development partners," Somdy said.
The assessment exercise was led by the Ministry of Planning and Investment in close collaboration and consultation with government agencies and with technical support provided by development partners.
The Lao government needs US$141.9 million for flood rehabilitation following tropical storms Haima and Nock-Ten that brought destruction to Laos in June and August this year.
Representatives of the government, donors and nongovernment workers gathered in Vientiane last week to discuss the report on the assessment of the impacts and needs arising from the storms.
Typhoons Haima and Nock-Ten swept through Laos bringing heavy rain, causing widespread flooding and soil erosion in 12 provinces including Bolikhamxay, Xayaboury, Vientiane, Xieng Khuang, Khammuan, Savannakhet, Cha mpassak as well as the capital.
The floods caused extensive damage to livelihoods, private property, irrigation systems, roads and bridges, hospitals, schools and agriculture.
More than 429,954 people in 1,790 villages in 96 districts of the 12 provinces were directly affected by the disaster. Moreover, at least 30 people were killed, according to the National Disaster Management Office report.
Against this backdrop, the government has undertaken rapid measures to respond to the severe situation by various ways and means, Minister of Planning and Investment Somdy Douangdy said in his analysis.
He said political efforts at the highest level were made including visits to the worst affected areas by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers to perform on the spot assessments of the impacts of the flooding.
At the time of need, resources were mobilised by all sectors including the government, civil servants, military, police, private sector, foreign expatriates and local communities to ensure help reached the most needy and severely affected people.
"Immediate actions including the provision of food, drinking water and other necessities helped those most in need," said Somdy.
These immediate responses by the government cost 100 billion kip (US$12.5 million), which was sourced internally.
However, these efforts fall far short of the cost of damage and loss caused by the storms, which will continue to hamper the fragile livelihoods of local people and have long term impacts on their daily lives and on the economy as a whole.
"It is, therefore, in this time of difficulty that the Lao government and people seek support and assistance from friendly countries, international organisations, INGOs and other development partners," Somdy said.
The assessment exercise was led by the Ministry of Planning and Investment in close collaboration and consultation with government agencies and with technical support provided by development partners.
