Swiss Red Cross provides 2.5 billion kip for Lao Red Cross development project

The Swiss Red Cross has agreed to provide CHF241,511 (about 2.5 billion kip) to the Lao Red Cross for its National Society Development project, which aims to build the capacity of the Lao Red Cross.
A Memorandum of Understanding on the project was signed on Tuesday by representatives of the two bodies at the National Blood Transfusion Centre in Vientiane.
The event was chaired by the President of the Lao Red Cross, Assoc. Prof. Dr Phouthone Muongpak, and the Swiss Red Cross Country Representative in Laos, Mr Jean-Marc Thome.

Also present on the occasion were various Lao Red Cross officials, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
Attending the event via video link were the Deputy Governors of Luang Prabang, Khammuan and Champassak provinces, as well as Heads of provincial departments of Foreign Affairs, departments of Labour and Social Welfare, and provincial Red Cross branches in Luang Prabang, Khammuan and Champassak.
The partnership between the Lao Red Cross and Swiss Red Cross provides technical and financial support to the implementation of the Lao Red Cross’s strategies by supporting the procedures and financial management systems and strengthening the Lao Red Cross and its provincial branches in Luang Prabang, Khammuan and Champassak.
The ultimate goal is to effectively position the national society to save lives and effectively support populations affected by disaster.
The project will run from the date of approval until April 30, 2023.
The budget for this project amounts to CHF241,511 (about 2.5 billion kip), funded by the Swiss Red Cross.
One of the main aims of the project is to improve the Lao Red Cross‘s strategies and policies in order to create an enabling environment for timely and effective disaster response efforts.
A second goal is to develop Lao Red Cross response mechanisms by providing appropriate equipment and training personnel to carry out timely and effective disaster response efforts in the three target provinces.
The third objective is to strengthen Lao Red Cross national society support services and volunteer mobilisation, in collaboration with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The Memorandum Of Understanding was jointly signed by the Lao Red Cross, represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr Sing Menorath, Vice President of the Lao Red Cross, and the Swiss Red Cross, represented by Mr Jean-Marc Thome, Swiss Red Cross Country Representative in Laos, inaugurating an expected successful project implementation.

By Phomphong Laoin
(Latest Update December 23, 2021)