Lao flood emergency: delivering safe water and sanitation for children at risk

By Simon Nazer

Children used a newly installed water tap in Ban Bok camp, Lao PDR © UNICEF/2018/Nazer

UNICEF, with the support of USAID, is working to install water pumps and toilets in camps for children and families displaced by the floods which swept through south Lao PDR late July this year.

Khao Yai, 12, is currently staying in Ban Bok camp. His family lost everything during the floods. 

© UNICEF/2018/Nazer

Witnessing the floods take their homes and in many cases livelihoods was an overwhelming experience for children and families. “I just remember water coming into my home and people shouting,” says Khao Yai, 12, who is staying in a camp in Bon Bok. “I don’t really remember much after that. We just had to go right away, we left everything.”

Widespread flood damage enroute to Ban Bok camp. © UNICEF/2018/Nazer

Khao’s experience is shared with over 4,000 other people who were displaced by the floods.

During such emergencies, access to clean water and sanitation facilities becomes extremely important to ensure people stay healthy and clear of potentially life-threatening diseases. This is why one of UNICEF’s priorities is to deliver safe water and sanitation facilities to hard-to-reach camps like Ban Bok, with USAID’s support.

A newly installed water pump in Ban Bok camp. © UNICEF/2018/Nazer

UNICEF has also provided 35 water points and constructed seven latrines in Ban Bok camp alone. Soap, tarpaulins, buckets, bowls and jerry cans have been distributed to all camps except those which are inaccessible.

Children participate in handwashing promotion activities. © UNICEF/2018/Nazer

Handwashing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrheaol diseases and pneumonia, which together are responsible for the majority of child deaths globally and become more prevalent during emergencies. 

Facilitors use stories to teach children about the importance of handwashing and good hygiene practices.  
© UNICEF/2018/Nazer

In order to deliver messages on handwashing, outreach teams supported by UNICEF visit camps to teach children about the importance of handwashing and how to wash their hands properly. Children like Khao take part in singing, dancing and storytelling activities to ensure they learn the right habits that will keep them safe for a lifetime.

Children participate in the handwashing song. © UNICEF/2018/Nazer

“Our teacher already taught us how to wash our hands at school and I use the new tap a lot,” says Khao. “I’m also using the new toilet here, it’s much better than going out in the open.”

(L) Khao Yai washes his hands in a newly installed tap in his camp. 

(R) A girl enters a newly built latrine in Ban Bok camp. © UNICEF/2018/Nazer

While it’ll take time to rebuild after what happened, delivering safe water and sanitation facilities to children like Khao, and their communities, is the first step to ensuring they stay healthy and happy.