VIENTIANE: The Lao Red Cross has reported major achievements in 2024, providing essential assistance to more than 100,000 people affected by extreme weather events and fires.
Speaking at the Lao Red Cross’ annual general meeting last week, President Khamlavanh Chanthalavanh highlighted the organisation’s efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to disaster-hit areas, reviewed the past year’s progress and affirmed plans for 2025.
Over the past year, the Lao Red Cross assisted 18,034 households and 86 schools overall, benefiting a total of 107,968 people.
The total value of aid provided was estimated at US$2,864,754.
The organisation responded to 18 emergency situations caused by floods and fires, delivering support to 165 villages in 31 districts. A total of 9,936 families — or 60,623 people — received emergency relief.
Natural disasters struck ten provinces and Vientiane. Widespread flooding affected Xayaboury, Bokeo and Champassak provinces, while a large fire occurred in the capital.
Storms in late August and early September brought heavy rain that damaged homes, roads and bridges, farmland and schools across the central and southern provinces including Khammuan, Savannakhet, Attapeu, Saravan, Champassak and Xekong. As part of its relief efforts, the Lao Red Cross distributed food, drinking water, and educational supplies to schoolchildren in Attapeu and flood-affected families in Saravan and Champassak, with support from the Singapore Red Cross and private companies.
The Lao Red Cross also organised blood donation activities in collaboration with various other entities, aiming to boost blood stocks for nationwide supply.
In 2024, the national target was to collect 78,000 bags of blood from donors, with 33,300 bags to be provided to central hospitals and 44,700 to hospitals in the provinces. In reality, a total of 71,290 bags of blood were collected, equalling 91.4 per cent of the target figure.
The organisation also invested in building staff capacity. Red Cross personnel received training in humanitarian response, drinking water supply and sanitation during floods, and participated in HIV/AIDS awareness activities - a key focus of the Lao Red Cross since 1992.
Founded in 1955, the Lao Red Cross is a national humanitarian organisation headquartered in Vientiane. It works with around 40,000 people each year to respond to incidents of varying kinds, offering initial relief aid in times of emergency.
The Lao Red Cross is also working to strengthen support services and source more volunteers, in collaboration with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The ultimate goal is to enable the national society to save lives and effectively support communities affected by extreme weather events. - Vientiane Times/ANN
