Press Release: USAID provides support to UNICEF’s Emergency Response to Floods in Laos

Vientiane, Lao PDR, 31 July 2018 – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has granted to UNICEF the sum of $100,000 to provide support for the emergency response to the floods in Lao PDR with a focus on access to clean drinking water for people in the camps and child protection.  

There are more than 7,300 people displaced by the floods who have been registered in displacement camp shelters. This grant will provide emergency relief support in Attapeu and nearby affected areas of Sothern Laos through the provision of hygiene and sanitation supplies and facilities, and awareness raising to prevent outbreak of water borne diseases. It will allow for a quick dispatch of additional water purification solutions and the rehabilitation of contaminated water sources in communities, including health centers and schools.

In addition, the USAID contribution will help identify unaccompanied and separated children and facilitate psychosocial support for children, while strengthening coordination with relevant authorities.

“We welcome this U.S. contribution which will help UNICEF and the Government of Lao PDR to better respond to the needs of those affected by the floods. As an initial response, UNICEF has made available pre-positioned water and sanitation supplies for 1,500 households including tarpaulins, soap and jerry cans which have arrived in Attapeu province. We have now finalized the rapid assessment and are working with the Government and development partners on a medium and long term response to meet the needs of children and their families affected by the floods,” said Octavian Bivol, UNICEF Representative in Lao PDR.

“We recognize that there will be longer term impacts to this tragedy. When the water recedes, the American people will continue to stand with the people of the Lao PDR,” said U.S. Ambassador Rena Bitter.

Current priority needs for children include access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene; immunization and vitamin A supplementation; management of acute malnutrition cases and provision of psychosocial support and child friendly spaces. UNICEF is working in coordination with the Government of Lao PDR, development partners and other UN agencies to ensure that those in need receive support.

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children in Lao PDR, visit http://www.unicef.org/laos

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About USAID

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the principal U.S. Government agency extending assistance to countries worldwide recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty and engaging in democratic reforms. For more information about USAID, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/

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For more information, please contact:
Maria Fernandez, UNICEF Lao PDR, (+856) 2055519681, mfernandez@unicef.org

Tabongphet Phouthavong, UNCEF Lao PDR, (+856) 2096888890, tphouthavong@unicef.org

Richard Nyberg, USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia, rnyberg@usaid.gov  

Wiraporn Srisuwanwattana, USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia, wsrisuwanwattana@usaid.gov