Emergency response to devastating floods in Laos

Health Poverty Action would like to thank all of you who have supported the ‘Laos Flood Appeal’ through Global Giving. Your generosity has meant that we were able to swiftly support affected communities by providing medical care, shelter and vaccinations, amongst other things, in the months immediately following the disaster.

On July 22, the collapse of the Xepien-Xe Nam Noy Hydropower dam in the Attapeu province of southern Laos resulted in devastating flooding which worsened the already drastic situation in the region caused by two recent tropical storms. Over five billion cubic meters of water engulfed an estimated 55,000 hectares of land. Communities in 30 villages with an estimated population of 6,000 were severely affected, leaving 39 people dead and thousands of others homeless and missing in the province. With so much arable land destroyed, the people returning to their homes will struggle to sustain their livelihoods and provide food for their families.

In Laos, Health Poverty Action is part of the Emergency Response Committee addressing the longer term effects of the flood and liaises regularly with the main stakeholders involved including government bodies, UN agencies and partner INGOs in order to coordinate a united response. We are one of only three NGOs present in Attapeu and our staff on the ground are ensuring that health and hygiene education remains a priority in the face of dangerous outbreaks. We have been working in Laos for over 24 years and our staff are local to the area; their understanding of the people affected by the flood informs their work. Local expertise allows us to be sympathetic and effective in our efforts.

Health Poverty Action has committed to raising $25,000 to purchase and distribute Non-Food Items  (i.e. essential household items such as blankets, plastic sheets, containers for water, cooking items and soap), hygiene kits and medicines. The most pressing health threats to the displaced communities include dengue fever, cholera and diarrhoeal diseases.

Your support has ensured that communities are given information, education and materials to demonstrate how the prevention of these illnesses is possible. Ensuring that healthcare is accessible and hygiene is distributed means that the people of Attapeu province can begin to rebuild their lives and communities.

In the post-disaster phase, it is essential to help the communities recover from destruction, rebuild their homes and restore their livelihoods. 62,980 hectares of rice fields and 41,879 hectares of other crops were flooded, as well as the loss of thousands of livestock which died following the dam collapse. There is still much to be done, to ensure that vaccination against diseases like cholera can be distributed to families as they begin to return to their homes from displacement camps. We are committed to the continued, long-term support of the affected communities with a focus on strengthening health systems, managing disease outbreaks, ensuring food security, restoring livelihoods, and improving access to water and sanitation.

Warmest wishes,

Verity and the team at Health Poverty Action

Links:

• Health Poverty Action's Website