Laos to mainstream disaster risk reduction into development plan

In this file photo taken on July 26, 2018 a shelter damaged by flood waters lies on the road in a village in Sanamxai, Attapeu province. - AFP

VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment will mainstream and incorporate disaster risk reduction into the ninth National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025) to minimise impacts, and promote monitoring and advanced warnings for disasters.

Director General of the Department of Planning under the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment, Phonevanh Outhavong, highlighted the aims at the Consultation Workshop on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into the ninth National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2021-2025 held in Vientiane on Wednesday (Aug 12).

The meeting is essential to discuss the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction into the ninth NSEDP because disasters have been impacting development and the livelihoods of people, particularly floods, droughts, and earthquakes, local daily Vientiane Times on Thursday quoted Phonevanh as saying.

"Our country has been impacted over the last two to three years, especially the collapse of saddle dam D at the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydroelectric power project, floods in central, southern and northern provinces as well as animal diseases, pests and the Covid-19 pandemic," she noted.

Participants were briefed on the draft of the next five-year plan, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

During the meeting, representatives of the Social Welfare Department under the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare also presented the Law on Disaster Management and National Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction.