Ministry provide emergency aid to flood victims in Luang Namtha

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has provided cash and emergency relief materials to communities impacted by flash floods that hit Nam Eng village in Viengphoukha district of Luang Namtha province on Sunday.

The people, however, still need other supplies, especially clothes, bedding and equipment used in their daily lives.
The delivery of relief materials to Luang Namtha on Monday was led by the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Dr Khampheng Saysompheng, and officials of the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee.
During the visit, Dr Khampheng and the officials provided 30 million kip in cash and other essential supplies to people impacted by the flash floods.
Many government and private sector bodies have been providing assistance to the people affected by the flooding. Authorities of Luang Namtha province have also provided essential supplies worth 20 million kip to support recovery efforts in communities hit by the floods.
The military and police in the province are helping to move people and take their belongings to higher ground, with support personnel and vehicles transferring their belonging.
The Department of Works and Transport of Luang Namtha is cooperating with local authorities to clear obstacles, such as trees and garbage, along roads and bridges in the flood-affected areas.
The Viengphoukha district Governor, Mr Tiensamone Phonepaseuth, told Vientiane Times many sectors had provided supplies such as dry food and drinking water to people hit by the flash flood. But people now need clothes, bedding sets, soap, detergent, kitchen equipment and equipment to repair their houses, he said.The flash floods occurred in the morning of July 12 in Nam Eng village. A total of 51 houses were inundated and 255 people were affected, according to an initial assessment.
Two houses and two rice storehouses with five tonnes and 178 bags of rice were damaged. One car, four tractors, eight motorcycles, three rice polishing machines, and 10 water pumps were damaged.
Cattle, pigs, goats and other livestock were reported missing after the floods and nine hectares of rice field and a irrigation system were also damaged.
The total value of the damage has been estimated at more than one billion kip, according to a report from Viengkhoukha district.
Nam Eng village is located along Road No R3 in Viengphoukha district. Nam Eng has 112 households with a total population of 525, including 245 women. Viengphoukha district is located in eastern Luang Namtha province and borders Nalae, Long and Namtha districts.

By Phomphong Laoin
(Latest Update July 14, 2020)