More than 1,000 people in remote areas of Xieng Khuang province are suffering from a shortage of winter clothing and blankets as the cold weather sets in.
As temperatures start to fall, many disadvantaged families in mountainous areas are struggling to tend to their crops and find enough food.
Most of the province's poor families live in Paek, Nonghet, Phoukoud, Khoun, Thathom and Kham districts, provincial social welfare section Head Mr Sengmany Chanthasomboun told Vientiane Times yesterday.
These people lack essentials and need our help because they have no way to earn an income and better their living conditions, he said.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare recently gave 1,000 pairs of warm trousers to the section but they need more winter clothing and blankets as soon as possible.
The people of Xieng Khuang struggle every year when winter arrives and sometimes temperatures drop so low that their livestock die.
Many people are at risk of getting sick if they have inadequate clothing or heating, particularly those who take cold showers.
As water temperatures in the cool season are not conducive to rice production, farmers struggle to grow the crop, but Kham, Thathom and Mokmay districts are able to produce significant quantities of dry season rice, according to a report from the agriculture section.
However, the provincial authorities are encouraging farmers in other districts to grow commercial crops so they can earn some money.
“This year, the provincial authorities had hoped farmers would grow rice on 540 hectares but we're not yet sure if that target can be reached,” said agriculture section Deputy Head Ms Khamphao Xayachit.
The Lao Red Cross has handed over clothing to its provincial branches for distribution after making several donations in the last few months.
Each year, the northern provinces receive more donations of clothing than the southern provinces because of the cold weather, said a senior Lao Red Cross official, Dr Bountheung Menvilay.
The Meteorology and Hydrology Department has forecast lower temperatures in the north from December 5-7 along with fog and low cloud cover.
Current lows in Xieng Khuang province range from 10-12 Celsius with highs of 21-23 Celsius, in Luang Namtha the lows are 14-16 Celsius with a maximum of 25-28 Celsius, while in Luang Prabang the minimum is 16-18 Celsius and the maximum is 28-30 Celsius.
