Australia increases development aid for Covid-19 recovery

The Australian government has increased its bilateral development assistance to Laos by almost 25 percent this year, providing an additional AUD4.8 million to help mitigate the economic, social and health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new assistance will support the Lao government to strengthen health systems, build the foundations for economic recovery, and protect the most vulnerable people.

“Like Australia, Laos is facing a long road ahead to help its economy and people recover from the impacts of Covid-19,” said Ambassador Jean-Bernard Carrasco when speaking of the increase in assistance.
“Australia is committed to supporting Laos to regain security, stability and prosperity as swiftly as possible. However, there are significant challenges to overcome, including making sure disadvantaged groups, particularly women and girls, do not get left behind.”
The new AUD4.8 million in funding announced on Friday includes AUD1 million to scale up cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for business environment reform and private sector development, which will play a crucial role in Laos’ post-Covid-19 recovery. A key outcome will be increased support for female business entrepreneurs. 
The Australian government will also help strengthen the Lao health system and Emergency Operations Centre to respond to Covid-19 at the central and subnational levels, help improve child protection and gender-based violence prevention and response services, build capacity on human rights issues relating to Covid-19, and support health, nutrition and education initiatives at the community level.
“Our two countries have stood side by side through many difficult challenges in our 68 years of diplomatic and development partnership,” Ambassador Carrasco said.
“As the effects of this crisis continue to unfold, Australia will remain a strong, high quality partner for Laos and the Indo-Pacific region as we work together for recovery.”
Australia provides more than AUD40 million of official development assistance to Laos every year, in addition to the AUD4.8 million in new funding just announced.
In its new Partnerships for Recovery Strategy, the Australian government has committed to work closely with neighbouring Indo-Pacific countries to minimise the human, economic and social costs of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a strong focus on those who are most vulnerable, including women and girls.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update June 22, 2020)