Govt prepares to tackle weather emergencies in rainy season

The National Disaster Management Committee is preparing to respond to emergencies caused by heavy rainfall through the prompt provision of assistance and subsequent recovery.
Numerous countries around the world including Laos suffer from weather extremes such as floods and earthquakes as well as crop pests and disease.

These affect people’s health, lives, property and livelihoods, as well as social and economic conditions, infrastructure, and the environment.
Chairing a meeting to discuss disaster preparedness on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Chansamone Chanyalath, said Laos suffered badly from weather extremes which caused more damage every year.
Over the past five years, 235 incidents occurred which affected 1,860,165 people. A total of 121 people lost their lives and damage to infrastructure, socio-economic development and the environment was estimated at 5.5 trillion kip, he said.
During the meeting, which was also attended by Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Mrs Baykham Khattiya, participants discussed improved responses to disasters through enhanced coordination, emergency assistance and recovery.
Many parts of Laos are currently affected by storms and numerous houses have been damaged. Strong winds have also brought down electricity poles.
A disaster preparedness and response network has been established at the community level to provide training about climate change, floods and drought, storms, diseases, epidemics and landslides, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.

By Phomphong Laoin
(Latest Update May 12, 2021)