Officials from Borikhamxay province’s Agriculture and Forestry Department give vegetables to the Pakkading district agriculture office as examples of crops to be planted this dry season. --Photo Pasaxon

Representatives of Luang Namtha province’s Labour and Social Welfare Department on Wednesday hand over cash and 31 tonnes of rice to authorities in Nalae district for distribution to families who suffered losses during flooding and landslides last September.    --Photo Phonethip

With measles cases rising globally, last year Australia, together with the World Health Organisation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF, supported the Ministry of Health to launch a Measles and Rubella Supplementary Immunisation Activity. The nationwide campaign targeted more than 600,000 children in all 148 districts, successfully reaching over 95 percent of the target group. --Photo Australia in Laos

The Lao Youth Union (LYU), in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the National University of Laos, Vientiane Rescue, and UNICEF Laos, has launched Sinxay Emergency Training to equip young volunteers in Luang Namtha with the skills needed to respond more effectively to natural disasters. “The Lao Youth Union is proud to lead this initiative with the support of UNICEF and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment,” said Mr Nuanthong Suvanvixay, Deputy Secretary of LYU. “By equipping our youth with disaster-response and climate-adaptation skills, we can foster stronger, more resilient communities.” The workshop, led by the LYU, the Ministry, and Vientiane Rescue, features practical disaster-relief exercises and will conclude with awareness activities in local schools and communities. --Photo UNICEF Laos