Children affected by floods in Laos need urgent support
2018-07-26
© UNICEF/UNI182710/Noorani
UNICEF and partners working to save lives and meet urgent needs of most vulnerable childrenVientiane, Lao PDR, 25 July 2018 – UNICEF is working with the Government of Lao PDR and development partners to provide essential support and services to around 6,331 people, including children, affected by the floods in Attapeu province (Southern Laos).
“We are deeply saddened by the news in Attapeu. It is imperative that we meet urgent humanitarian needs and ensure the safety of children and families who have been displaced by the floods,” said Octavian Bivol, UNICEF Representative in Lao PDR. “Based on a primary assessment conducted by the Government, there are more than 1,300 families that urgently need tents for emergency shelter and other non-food Items such as family kits and personal hygiene kits.”
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee, and in coordination with other UN agencies, UNICEF is releasing immediate support for about 1,500 households through the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene supplies which will reach the affected communities within the next 24-48 hours.
UNICEF is working closely with local authorities and other partners to determine the most urgent needs and is deploying a team to support immediate relief efforts over the next few hours and the coming days.