VIENTIANE: The Australian government on Thursday (Sept 12) handed over eight tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies for disaster response to the Lao government, which will benefit more than 200 families in the country.
The supplies include essential items for communities affected by natural disasters such as floods.
This is the third year in a row that Australia has provided pre-positioned humanitarian relief supplies to Laos. The supplies, valued at US$95,000 (1.4 billion kip), included 224 hygiene kits, 80 kitchen kits, 400 blankets, 240 bed nets, 400 sleeping mats, 448 tarpaulins, and 224 shelter tool kits.
The supplies were handed over during a ceremony held at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. The Australian Ambassador to Laos, Megan Jones, handed over the goods to the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Leepao Yang, and the event was attended by officials from both sides.
The humanitarian relief supplies were delivered via a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE24), which is led by the Australian Defence Force and is an Australian whole of government initiative that supports defence cooperation with countries in the region, including Laos.
“With eight tonnes of relief supplies positioned within the country, the Lao government will be able to respond rapidly and effectively to support communities impacted by natural disasters or other emergencies. Australia is pleased to assist the Lao government as it responds to natural disasters,” said Jones.
Leepao said, “Effective preparedness is critical in protecting communities and livelihoods. We are grateful and appreciative for Australia’s continued support to the Laos in responding to disasters.
These humanitarian supplies received today from the Australian government are highly valued by the Lao government. These items will help strengthen preparedness and response to disasters, especially floods in the rainy season.”
During monsoonal flooding in August 2023, Australia’s humanitarian relief was immediately mobilised to support flood-affected communities in the three provinces of Borikhamxay, Khammuan, and Savannakhet.
These relief supplies were delivered to Laos in 2022 through the IPE initiative. Australia is committed to supporting the Lao government in humanitarian and emergency response and recovery through its development cooperation programme. - Vientiane Times/ANN
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