Laos: Disaster reduction day raises public awareness

A meeting of the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) and various international organisations took place on the 15th of October in Vientiane to mark the Asean and International Day for Disaster Reduction according to Lao Voices.

Mr Timothy Schaffter, UNICEF Representative and UN Resident Representative, declared that "sixty percent of the population of Laos are aged 25 or under. These young people must be included in disaster preparedness plans. Risk reduction education for children including climate change adaption activities are one way to prepare for disasters."

Furthermore, Laos was hit by severe flooding in June and August this year which affected more than 400,000 people in 12 provinces, killing 30, and damaging homes, agriculture, transport links and other infrastructure with losses estimated at more than 1.7 trillion kip.