In response to widespread flooding in the northern and north-central provinces of Lao PDR, the U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs are partnering with the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and World Vision to distribute disaster relief supplies to communities in Bolikhamxay province. The disaster relief supply distribution is part of a multi-year “Strengthening Government of Laos Capacity to Manage Humanitarian Emergencies” program funded by the USAID Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). 

Residents of Bolikhamxay Province were inundated by the recent flooding, particularly in the impoverished Paksan and Bolikhan Districts Local residents said the water rose so fast they were unable to pack their belongings and lost many essential household items.  Flood waters also damaged houses and latrines with many households needing tarpaulins to cover damaged areas and buckets for carrying water.

With 20,000 USD provided by the U.S. government and facilitated through IOM’s Disaster Response Training Project, World Vision procured essential household items for 1,280 victims in 256 households.  These included sanitation kits, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, and kitchen equipment.

U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Kleine said, “We are eager to help the victims of the flooding and hope that these supplies will help them during this difficult time.”  He thanked IOM, World Vision and the Department of Social Welfare for their support and cooperation.

The equipment was distributed to flood victim families by officials from the U.S. Embassy, IOM and World Vision, with the support of the Department of Social Welfare.