Emergency Assistance to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for Flood Disaster

August 22, 2008

On August 22 (Fri.), the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency relief goods (water purifiers, tents, blankets, water tanks, etc.), equivalent about 12 million yen, to the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (hereinafter “the Lao PDR”), which sustained a major flood disaster caused by torrential rain in the country.
In the Lao PDR, nationwide torrential rain since the beginning of August caused severe floods mainly in Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Khammuane Province and Borikhamxay Province. The floods affected more than 150,000 people including 5 deaths (as of August 19). It also damaged cropland and destroyed many houses.
The surrounding areas, at present, are suffered from serious problems including food shortage caused by obstructed access of transportation, drinking-water shortage caused by unusable wells, and lack of shelters for the victims. The Government of the Lao PDR has therefore requested emergency assistance to the Government of Japan, while making its utmost efforts to support those in need.
The Government of Japan decided to extend this emergency assistance to the Lao PDR from a humanitarian viewpoint and in light of the friendly relations between Japan and the Lao PDR.

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