I. Topography
1. Location
Lao's People Democratic Republic is a land
lock country, located in the central of
Indochina, between latitude 14-23 degrees
north and longitude 100-108 degrees east.
The country, sharing borders with China
416 km to the north, Myanmar 130 to thenorthwest, Thailand 1,730 to the west,
Cambodia 490 to the South and Vietnam
1,957 km to the east.

2. Land
Lao PDR has the areas of 236,800 squarekm, the major part being mountainous andforested. Around 70% of its terrain is
mountainous, 46% of total areas covers byforest. The Mekong River flows through
1,865 km of Lao PDR territory and forms
the major portion of the border withThailand (1,835 km). 60% of the water
entering this major river system originatesin Lao PDR. The three highest "phu"(mountains) are all located in Xiengkhuang
province. The highest is Phu Bia (2,820km), then Phu Xao (2,690 km), and Phu
Xamxum with 2,620 km. From theGeographic location, the width of some 40
Km to 50 Km in the Central province isvulnerable to tropical depression andtyphoon originating in the Pacific Ocean or
the South China Sea. Although the Phou
Luang mountain range along the Lao - Vietnam border is the natural barrier to protect storm surge phenomenon however heavy rainfall
associated with these tropical disturbances frequently caused severe flooding problems in central and southern plains.
There are 3 agro-climatic zones in the country such as:
The Mountainous North is a zone dominated by mountains over 1,000 metres and steep slopes with a moist to dry sub-tropical climate.
The zone has an annual rainfall ranging between 1,500 mm and 2,500 mm with a cooler dry season. The soils tend to be weak withgenerally low fertility because of heavy leaching and high acidic content. They have low water retention capacity and as a result are notwell-suited to intensive cultivation practices. Shifting agriculture characterized by "slash and burn" methods with fallow cycle is widelypracticed.
The Hilly to Mountainous Regions in the Central and South exhibit elevations from between 500 and 1,000 metres, with some individual
peaks over 2,000 metres, but with generally more moderate slops than those found in the north. The area is dominated by the southwest
monsoon climate with bring heavy seasonal rainfall averaging annually 2,500 to 3,500 mm. The soils are similar to those in the North
except on the localized area of the Bolevens Plateau in the far South which has deep, well-structured and less acidic soils with the ability
for good water retention and drainage.
The Alluvial River Plains along the Mekong and its tributaries in the central and southern parts of the country are where more than 50% of
the population lives. These include the Vientiane Plain, a narrow plain in Bolikhamsay and Northern Khammouane Provinces, a larger plainof southern Khammouane and much of Savannakhet Provinces, and smaller plains located in the southern provinces of Champassak,
Saravan and Attapeu. These are the most productive areas of the country, dominated as they are by a moist tropical climate which brings
an annual average rainfall ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 mm.

3. Demographic

Population
Lao PDR has a population of 5,777,180 inhabitants (July 2002 est.) with the annual growth rate 2.5%, birth rate: 36.9/1000
and infant mortality rate is 88.9/1000. The population comprise over 47 different ethnic groups, such as Hmong, Khmer, Yao,
A'kha, Ikoh, Lu etc. Each tribe has its own distinctive customs, dialects and costumes and can be classified into three groups
such as: 1) Lao Loum (lowlanders) 68% living along the Mekong river and its tributaries; 2) Lao Theung (highland) 22% lives on
the slopes and hills with an elevation of less than 1,000 meters; and 3) Lao Soung (upland) including Hmong and the Yao 9%
live in the high mountainous areas, ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese 1%. Around 90% of rural population is practicing
agriculture. Big numbers of those are using rain water for cultivation. Lao PDR is among the least developed countries in theworld. It ranks 143rd of 173 in the Human Development index (HDI) of 2000. Population below poverty line is approximately
40% in 2001 with life expectancy of 53.88 yrs and adult literacy rate is 57%. Estimated GDP per capital is about GDP.

4. Administrative System of Lao PDR
After the promulgation of the Constitution on August 15, 1991, the Party's comprehensive and principled restructuring policy andprinciples have been used to determine the role, rights and obligations of each organization. This has helped increase the Party's
leadership role, and improve and strengthen management of the State organizations. To this end, the Lao PDR has improved its
administrative regime as follows:
The legislative branch, formerly called the Supreme People's Assembly, is now called the National Assembly, and the local People's
Assemblies have been eliminated. Representing the rights of the people, from the first to the current fourth legislature, this legislative
body has made a number of important decisions at national level. These include adopting the Constitution and 42 laws. The National
Assembly has also elected the Republic's Presidents and Vice Presidents, elected the Presidents of the People's Supreme Court, and thePresidents of the Peoples Prosecution; approved the nomination and composition of the government; ratified a number of international
legal instruments; approved socio-economic development plans and state budgets; and granted Lao nationality to a number of foreigners.
The executive branch, formerly called the Council of Ministries, is now known as the government. It has 13 ministries: Agriculture andForestry; Trade and Tourism; Communications, Post, transport and Construction; Education; Finance; Foreign Affairs; Industry andHandicraft; Information and Culture; Interior; Justice; Labour and Social Welfare; National Defence; and Public Health. There are three
ministry equivalent committees: the Prime Minister's Office; the Committee for Planning and Cooperation; and the Bank of the Lao PDR.
The local administration has been reduced to three levels: the provincial and prefecture, the district and the Ban level. The administrative
is run by province Governors, and the municipality by a major; each district has a chief administrator, and each village a chief. Currently,
there are 16 provinces one municipality (Vientiane), one special Zone, about 142 districts, and more than 11,600 villages. (Source:
Embassy of Lao PDR)

II. Weather
1. Climate
The country enjoys a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons - the rainy season from the beginning of May to October and the
dry season from November to April. The yearly average temperature is about 26 C, rising to a maximum of 38 C in April and May. In
Vientiane, minimum temperatures of 17 C are to be expected in December to January. In mountainous areas, however, temperatures drop
to 14 ・15C during the cool months. In cold nights, the temperature easily reaches the freezing point.

2. Rainfall
Rainfall in the dry season, November to April, accounts for only10-25%. There is a sharp difference in rainfall between regions. For
instance, in the Phou Luang (Annamite Chain), the annual average rainfall is around 300 millimetres. In Xiengkhouang, Luang Prabang
and Sayaboury provinces, annual rainfall is 100-150 millimetres; in Vientiane and Savannakhet 150-200 millimetres of rain falls every
year. The increasing rainfall in rainy season is also reaction from tropical cyclone and typhoon from the pacific.

III. Overview of Disasters
FloodFloods have the greatest macro-economic impact on the country and affect a greater number of people. Flood had been large destroyedand damaged to government and people property caused to agricultural sector paddy field and several to other crops, livestock, fishing
while serious damage was caused to irrigation and other infrastructure.
During the last 37 years (1966 - 2002), major floods have occurred in Lao PDR with severe exceptional flooding (1966, 1971, 1987, 1995,
1996 and 2000). These years, floods are recalled as ones of the most disastrous and probably the longest and it caused unprecedented
water levels in Mekong, inundation of large areas and extensive damage. Agriculture and agricultural infrastructure suffered the worst
damage from flood, especially, flash flood (sudden flood) which occurred in the northern part of Laos or in the hilly areas in the central
part. The recent examples of the severity of the flood problems in 1995, 1996 and 2000 which left people with damaged rice paddies. As
general condition, floods are experienced from August to September in the central and southern provinces of the country, in association
with the southwest monsoon. The floods may arise in the northern reaches of the Mekong River but the most significant effects are felt in
the downstream parts of the Mekong River and its primary tributaries.

Drought
While the annual rainfall, can be quite variable in different parts of Lao PDR. The localized effect of drought can be even more severe
given that many of the country's rural inhabitants already lead a marginal or impoverished existence with virtually no reserves and very
few economic options. The location of drought prone areas is also much more difficult to access with fewer road and rough terrain, thus
counter with provision of relief. There are several north provinces which are prone to drought conditions. The effects of drought wereparticularly severe in 1977, 1983 and 1988, although more recently drought also was experiences in both 1993 and 1994 in the northprovinces. Deficit in rainfall has particularly serious effected on food availability in the northern areas because agricultural practices andsoil conditions in small shifting agriculture plots generally yield staple rice harvests sufficient for only 4-6 months of family's requirement.
Drought is slow onset disaster and seriously impacted to agriculture production, population lives and especially create worsen healthproblem with sequence of epidemics.

Agricultural Pest and Rodent Infestation
Agricultural pestilence, and particularly severe rat infestation, is cited as additional hazard for many subsistence farmers, who ordinarily
can expect only very modest yields from their small, subsistence - based plots. Pestilence is an endemic problem particularly in thehighland farming areas in the north provinces and in the higher elevations of the central and southern provinces. One consequence of thedeclining number of fallow years maintained in shifting agricultural systems as direct result of increased land pressures is a degradation ofsoil quality and moisture retention which forests the growth of weed infestations. This and the increase of pest infestation in the
monoculture cropping patterns associated with shifting cultivation, further reduces the expected yields of reduced fallow land.

Epidemics and Public Health Issues
Given the limited extent of primary health facilities in Lao PDR, there are periodic risks of public health epidemics such as outbreaks ofcholera in recent years; malaria is endemic throughout the country, except in Vientiane. The HIV/AIDS is receiving increasing attention in
the country, with the Lao Red Cross and other NGOs now developing and implementing programs to expand public education andawardees about the disease and the means by which its spread can be minimized.
Access to clean water and waste water treatment are both extremely limited throughout the country. Only provincial towns have urban
water supply systems. Health hazards in Lao PDR are considered very much as an issue to be addressed once an outbreak has occurred,rather than as something to be prevented. The Ministry of Public Health has an institute of Epidemiology as well as a Centre for Health
Education and Information, but public awareness of preventive health measures is very limited given the dispersed population, budgetary
restrictions, and limited outreach capacities.

Fire and Road Accidents
Given the opportunity to speculate on other disaster ・related events, Government officers at both the central level and in the provincesand districts refer first to fire. The perspective at National level tended to focus on fires of some urban or economic consequence. The
awareness of fire hazards from the local government viewpoint was stated more directly as occurring regularly in villages with the loss ofa couple of bamboo houses being set alight from cooking fires. In all instances of reference, however, fire was seen as an accidental
event. While the occurrence of such fires can result in significant localized losses, the resulting needs were seen to be responded to by
singular acts of public or official welfare. As such, fire was not considered a major element in either matters of national policy ordevelopmental objectives, but recently fire was quite severe and harmful to Lao people. Beside fire issue, road accidents are also the main
problem that usually occur and harmful to people in the town.

Urban, Environmental or Technological Hazards
Commercial or industrial accidents do not yet pose a major threat or potential hazard in Lao PDR, but as the economy develops further
and the growth of urban and industrial facilities quickens, associated technological hazards may grow in importance. Rapid construction
and growth of urban infrastructure are responding to an expanding economy frequently conditioned by expediency rather safe building
practices. The absence of proper building codes and land use regulations which are appropriate to safe practices and the protection of theenvironment invite the spread of additional hazards to which increasing number of people become exposed.
In urban areas there has been growing concern about the risk of industrial pollution, particularly to water resources, in the absence ofpollution standards for industry and mining ventures. Ground water contamination due to inadequate or non-existent waste water
treatment also had been noted in Vientiane and other provincial towns. Inadequate storm water drainage in these same towns hascompounded the contamination of ground water reserves by effluent. Drains clogged with garbage are another example of how simple
inattention can increase a potential risk for local flooding.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)
A unique, but quite important hazard experienced in Lao PDR is widespread contamination by unexploded
battlefield ordnance, including the residue of millions of still-lethal anti-personnel cluster bombs.
The problem of UXO contamination in Lao PDR has only recently received international attention inconnection with increased international awareness of the devastating humanitarian and developmental
effect of landmines and other forms of unexploded ordnance.
Lao PDR, UXO is a legacy of the Indochina war in the 1960's and early 1970's. UXO continues to maimand kill innocent civilians, including children as well as farmers working their fields. With as much as onehalf of the country's total land mass subject to UXO contamination, significant amounts of otherwise
productive land can not be cultivated, further contributing to problems of food insecurity and poverty.
The Lao Government, with assistance from UNDP and UNICEF, established as UXO Trust Fund in August
1995 and subsequently established a national directed UXO awareness and clearance program. The
activities of public awareness and clearance are under way in the provinces affected by UXO.

» Page Top» Country Report Top

IV. Recent Major Disasters
1. Disaster Situation 2000
The rainy season started in May 2000 in the Northern part of the Lao PDR andincreased the amount of water in the Mekong River considerably. Thus, the water oftributary rivers could not be absorbed by the Mekong. By mid-June, six provinces
along the Mekong River had been flooded: Vientiane Municipality, Bolikamsay,
Khamouane, Savannakhet, Champasak and Saravane. Flooding also occurred in otherprovinces such as Phongsaly, Vientiane and Attapue. Two typhoons, Kemie andWukong, bringing heavy rains lead to a second flood during the same rainy season.
The social and economic losses can be estimated that, 15 people were killed, 66,500
families or 398,000 people affected, 42 districts were impacted, 197 irrigation schemes
and 42,000 hectares of agricultural crops affected. Also roads, schools and livestock
were impacted. During the flood, transportation by road to some district was cut off.
Many villages lived in isolation from others. A large number of people faced food andwater shortages. In total lost from flood 2000 can be estimated at about 50 Mio USD.
Comparing this flood with floods in previous years, the flow of water was stronger
causing damage also to irrigation schemes and water pumps.

Record of Flood damaged in 2000
Population
No

Agriculture

Province
Total

Affected
670

Plantedarea (ha)Floodedarea (ha)Damagearea (ha)

0.4

5,400

30

20

0

0.0

38,010

960

350

1

%

Peoplekilled

%1

Phongsaly

170,100

2

Vientiane318,900

3

Vientiane
Municipality

583,300

10,3501.8

51,930

3,650

1,290

2

4

Bolikhamxay

182,000

19,40010.7

25,280

3,710

250

1

5

Khammouane

303,200

125,360

41.3

48,23023,64014,00029

6Savannakhet

747,600

96,46012.9

114,650

23,70012,460

11

7

Salavanh

285,100

16,5005.8

47,680

4,740

1,400

3

8

Champasack

558,000

117,94021.1

7

83,19022,73012,06014

9

Attapue

97,10012,08012.4

413,500

1,930

1,070

8

Total

3,245,300

398,76012.3

15427,870

85,09042,90010

4

2. Flood 2001
Flooding of Mekong River and its tributaries are recurrent events and cause each in varying degrees damaged to agriculture productions,rural infrastructures and human settlements. Flood 2001, the even seemed the same with flood 2000 that caused from typhoon bringing

heavy rains and increased the amount of water in the Mekong Riverand its tributaries. The flood 2001 caused damage to production areasof 42,223 hectares in total planting areas of 411,030 hectares andaround 244,050 people of 42,612 families were affected in 9 provinces.

Report on Flood Damage in 2001
Affected
Item

Province

District

Village

FamilyAgriculture
Population

PeoplePlanting

FloodedDamagekilledarea (ha)area (ha)area (ha)31,800

390

240

I

Northern

81Luangprabang

No data

No data

No data

No data

10,00010

10

2

Xaiyaboly

8

No data

No data

No data

21,800

380

230

II

Centre34

1,021

24,612

138,572

294,000

59,29030,193

3

Vientiane Municipality

8

No data425

No data

52,000

8,540

5,080

4

Xiengkhouang

No data

No data

No data

No data

14,000100

50

5Vientiane

463

No data

No data

40,000

2,210

1,100

6

Bolikhamxai

6147

No data

No data

25,000

9,390

8,370

7

Khammouane

9495

18,833103,042

48,00021,82014,4408

Savannakhet

7

316

5,354

35,548115,000

17,230

1,153

IIISouthern

8442

18,000105,478

85,23012,70011,7909Champasack

8442

18,000105,478

85,23012,70011,790

Total

50

1,463

42,612

244,050

411,030

72,38042,223

3. Flood 2002

The Lao PDR, similar to the other countries in the lower Mekong River Basin. Now either is experiencing floods as the monsoon sets in andthe rains increase. This is due to a combination of factors including very heavy rains in southern China and northern Laos, tropical storms
over the South China Sea. Vong Phong Typhoon which came from South China Sea, made of heavy rain at up stream reservoir of MekongRiver in August 14th 2002 at Houaysai district, Bokeo province. The first peak of the floods was reached on 19/20 August 2002, when thewater levels of the Mekong reached 12.6 meters in Vientiane - the highest point since the devastating floods of 1966 when the whole ofurban Vientiane was flooded and the city was under water. The waters have started to recede and Vientiane residents are breathing a sighof relief that the newly constructed embankment which protects the city centre was not breached along Mekong Plain, but breached along
distributaries of Nam Ngeum. Even if the Lao capital has been spared, there are increasing signs of flooding in the north province ofBokeo, Luangnamtha (include flash flood and landslide), Oudomxai, Luangprabang, Xiengkhouang, Phongsali and in the central and southprovince of Vientiane Municipality, Vientiane (flood, flash flood and landslide), Bolikamsay (flood and flash flood), Khammouane,
Savannakhet and Champasak and Attapue, traditionally the most flood prone parts of the country. The flood 2002 killed 3 people and249,782 people, in 50,342 families of 1,142 villages were affected. 33,702 hectares of the 432,900 hectares planted to different crops
were damaged.

Conclusion of Flood Damaged 2002
Affected
Item

Province

District

Village

FamilyPopulation

Agriculture
PeoplePlanting

FloodedDamagekilledarea (ha)area (ha)area (ha)1

48,100

2,551

1,670

I

Northern

18

200

4,297

24,371

1

Luangprabang

5

39

350

2,046

10,300189

64

2Phongsaly

4

68

2,280

12,405

6,000

1,599

962

3

Luangnamtha

1

16

447

2,974

10,500

275

157

4

Bokeo

6

40

273

1,409

10,500

378

377

5

Oudomxay

2

37

947

5,537

1

10,800

110

110

II

Centre34522

30,684140,3742

288,000

40,11924,151

6

Vientiane Municipality

9

95

4,132

21,06552,000

8,018

5,493

7

Xiengkhouang

3

27

176

556

15,00057

57

8Vientiane

5

7

183

803

42,500

1,825

761

9

Bolikhamxai

5

93

5,666

28,02821,000

7,133

5,644

10

Khammouane

4

180

8,550

43,58946,50011,3007,040

11Savannakhet

8

120

11,977

46,333111,000

11,786

5,156

IIISouthern

10420

15,36185,03796,80015,1287,881

12

Attapue

2

28

1,682

6,028

12,500

1,505

449

13

Champasack

8392

13,67979,00984,30013,623

7,432

Total

62

1,142

50,342249,782432,900

57,59833,702

2

3

4. Fire Disaster in Lao PDR
Fire disaster is one of major hazard that occurred in some of the major cities and caused widespread damaged due to deficient of firefighting materials and machineries. From 2000 to 2002, fires occurred and caused damage to people properties more than 50 billions kip.

Statistic of Cost damages and ValueThings affected by Fire
Nation Wide for the year 2000-2002
Items

Provinces

1

Vientiane Municipality

33,874,130,500

2Phongsaly

15,000,000

3

Xiengkhouang

119,000,000

4Luang Namtha

418,671,968

5

Oudomxay

130,340,000

6Luangprabang

248,301,700

7

Xaiyabury

171,520,000

8Vientiane Province

8,126,820,000

9

Bokeo

53,266,500

10Khammuane8552,719,400

11Savannakhet

645,987,600

12Champasak

919,330,000

13

Attapue

No data

14

Bolikhamxay

614,415,600

15Huaphanh

11,445,000

16

Salavanh

450,165,000

17

SekongNo data18

Special Zone

No data

Total

Casualty

8

5. History of Disaster in Lao PDR from 1966 -1999
Year

Type of Disaster

Location

Damage Cost (US$)

1966

Large flood

Central13,800,000

1967

Drought

Central and Southern

5,200,000

1968

Flood

Southern

2,830,000

1969

Flood

Central1,020,000

1970

Flood

Central30,0001971

Large FloodCentral3,573,000

1972

Flood and Drought

n/a40,000

1973

Flood

Central3,700,000

1974

Flood

Southern

180,000

1975

Droughtn/a

Not available

1976

Flash Floodn/a9,000,000

1977

Severe Droughtn/a15,000,000

1978

Large Floodn/a5,700,000

Total of Damaged

54,351,113,268

1979

Flood and Drought

n/a3,600,000

1980

Flood

n/a

3,000,000

1981

Flood

Central

682,000

1982

Drought

CentralNot available

1983

Droughtn/a

50% below
normal production level

1984

Flood

n/a

3,430,000

1985

Flash Flood

Northern

1,000,000

1986

Flood and Drought

n/a2,000,000

1987

Drought

Central and Northern

5,000,000

1988

Drought

Southern

Crop losses
Hydro-power

1989

Drought

Southern

20,000,000

1990

Flood

Central100,000

1991

Flood and DroughtCentral3,650,000

1992

Flood, forest fire and droughtCentral and Northern

302,151,200

1993

Flood and DroughtCentral and Southern

21,827,927

1994

Flood

Central and Southern

21,152,400

1995

Large FloodCentral and Southern

35,700,000

1996

Large flood, flash flood, and landslide

Central, northern and southern

34,400,000

1997

Flood and droughtCentral, northern, south

15,632,000

1998

Flood and droughtCentral, northern, south

24,687,000

1999

Flood and droughtCentral, northern, south

6,218,000

Total» Page Top» Country Report Top

564,303,527

4,000,000
10,500,000

V. Natural Disaster Management System
1. The Relief and Mitigation Efforts of Lao Government and NGOs
From 1975, since inauguration of Lao PDR- The Government policy on Social Welfare was to help after war Migration population to have permanent resettlement, to assist disadvantagegroup of people among its also who affected by natural disaster and the other to have food, shelter and some basic needs. These activities carried out by Department of Public Welfare
within Ministry of Interior (MOI) of Lao PDR.
To prevent flood and migrate drought MOI mobilized Government and public resources for upgrading and building a damp water gate to Mekong, building water reservoirs drainage system
in cities "A Free Labor Campaign" on building those subjects widely participated by Government public sector and community.
In 1980 the Committee Social Welfare and War Veterans had established and when the Committee resolved in 1987 the Department of Public Welfare had been transferred to Ministry of
Health and also carried out the activities like when was in Ministry of Interior. The reestablishment of committee on social welfare and war veterans in 1990 -1993 had expanded the Relief
and Mitigation activities. The joint project in Mitigation of Harm effect of Natural Disaster between Government and NGO's had started in this period. The Government annually allocatedFund Equivalent of 700,000 USD to help disadvantage persons and victims of disaster.
In 1993 the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) has been established. Since then the activities on Relief and Mitigation have more clear status. The social welfare department
within MLSW is responsible for running project on Relief and Mitigation with NGOs partners in area which vulnerable to or had been effected by disaster. The activities of project focusedon Mitigation of post flood affect such as repairing roads, canals, irrigation schemes, mobilizing resources for replanting second crop and etc... Social Welfare Department in the same timein cooperating with Provincial department of Social Welfare implemented by using Government and Donors Funds and Material Resources for Relief to the victims of Fire.
In general until 1997 action which had been taken by Government of Lao PDR with assistance of International Organizations, Donors Countries and NGO's focused very little to Disaster
Preparedness. At that time, the perception of Government and community related to disasters such as Floods and Droughts as looking almost to the Natural Phenomenon.
Very often, in community, according to the tradition people are using supper power to explain the natural disaster which they had faced with. But in fact, a climate change issue,
increasing of frequency of Flood and Drought, increasing and the causes of Fire, the fact of Environment Degradation, Devastation of forest, Land Erosion. The economic loss and damage
from disasters especially from big floods in 1995 and 1996 put the Government and Community in new stage of thinking. In June 1996 when flood occurred in provinces it affected tomore than 450.000 people and Economic lost was very high ・Prime- Minister Established an ad hoc committee in which complied of Ministries to deal with affect of flood - But still themain mandate of ad-hoc committee was concentrated again on Relief and Mitigation.

2. The Legal System and Structure of Disaster Management
Within the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) with the support of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), have beentaken the responsibility in 1997 for the formulation of the government policy on Disaster Management in Lao PDR. The new approach emphasizes the role of the government in tackling
disasters, the importance of Disaster Preparedness, Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM) approach, the recognition of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction as acornerstone of sustainable development and the coordination between community and government at different levels and strengthening community self-reliance. In line with the national
strategy, the NDMO has developed a National Disaster Management Action Plan, which is broken down into three different periods (2001-2005, 2005-2010, and 2010 -2020). This Action
Plan was advanced and approved by the members of National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) in line ministries and signed by chairman of NDMC.
A landmark decree No. 158, signed by the Prime Minister in August 1999, provide for the establishment of an inter-ministerial National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) as apolicy making and coordination body. This organization started from central government called NDMC and down to provincial, districts and village levels. The NDMO is played a secretariatof the NDMC and has a key function to build coordination procedures among Disaster Management Organizations and with among Government Institutions, other agencies andstakeholders such as: UN, International NGOs and Organizations.

The NDMC consisting of representatives from 13 key Ministries:

1.

Minister of Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

Chairman

2.

Vice - Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Vice Chairman

3.

Chief of Cabinet Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Vice Chairman

4.

Chief of Cabinet Ministry of Defense

Member5.

Chief of Cabinet Ministry of Interior

Member6.

Chief of Cabinet Ministry of Education

Member7.

Director of Budget Department, Ministry of FinanceMember8.

Director of Transportation Department, Ministry ofCommunication, Transport, Post and Construction

Member9.

Director of Industry Department, Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts

Member

10.

Director of Hygiene Department, Ministry of Health

Member

11.

Director of Mass Media Department, Ministry of Information and Culture

Member

12.

Director of Social Welfare Department, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

Member13.

Chairman of Lao Red Cross

Member

NDMC roles and responsibilities are:
NDMC is acting on behalf of Government on Disaster Management and functioning through NDMO as its secretariat.
To Determining and criterion for resources.
Implements policies and decisions on inter-Ministries basic.
Coordinates and cooperates with all government Ministries and Agencies on Disaster Management in all phases: preparedness, emergency assistance and mitigation.
Develop policies, including national disaster management plan, and provides overall direction for provincial and district plans.
Responsible for major operational decisions during an emergency.

Decides on allocation of relief resources.
Report to Government.

Diagram of Organization of DM in Laos

A. Taking care about coordination and cooperation disaster management activities within country and outsider:
Providing expert advice to the NDMC.
Promoting coordination with ministerial focal points and with partners.
Promoting disaster mitigation and preparedness activities at the local level.
Implementing community awareness activities (including of projects).
Providing training, guidelines and plans to make disaster risk management more effective.
Establishing disaster management implementation teams at the national, provincial and district level.
B. In order to carry out these responsibilities, the NDMO has four functional units:
ReliefDisaster Management Planning
Information and Dissemination
Training
C. Each unit is under the leadership of a Unit Manager. Currently about 12 staff are employed at the NDMO.
D. Beside coordinating disaster risk management activities within the government sector, the NDMO is an implementing partner of the World Food Programme (WFP) and a number ofdisaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation projects of International and Non-Government Organizations such as Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), Asian Disaster
Preparedness Center (ADPC), Care International, Concern World Wide, World Vision.

NDMO Diagram

3. Priority on Disaster Risk Management in Lao PDR
With recognizing that the managing the risk to disaster and reduction of vulnerability are essential elements of sustainable development. The priority for disaster management in Lao PDR
is therefore:1. To develop a rational Disaster Risk Management Plan will focus on mobilization, deployment and coordination of National Resources and requests for international
Assistance.
2. To prepare Disaster Risk Management Plans at provincial, district and local level.
3. To develop and train community level disaster response teams.
4. To target the initial efforts on the risk management of floods and droughts.
5. To focus on Capacity Building of Government officers and personnel of associated agencies from the community level to the national level and on community
mobilization...i.e. motivating and supporting people to organize and take appropriate action to protect themselves, their property and their communities against hazards.
6. To improve disaster preparedness through:A clear and comprehensive policy, which addresses all elements of disaster risk management planning.
Effective disaster planning and linkages at national, provincial, district and local levels as a basis for coordination action with clear allocation of role andresponsibilities.
Operational planning for all concerned government and non-government agencies for ensure effective response actions in time of emergencies.
Effective implementation of specialist programmes.
Early warning systems for floods and droughts.
Public awareness and training.
Support for the development of self-reliance and self-help at community levels.
7. To focus disaster prevention and mitigation on:
Agricultural and related sector programmes that aim at food, income and water security and on reducing community vulnerability.
Protection of key economic facilities.
8. To improve disaster response and recovery by improving emergency management systems such as command, control and coordination, damage and need assessment,
relief distribution and "Food for work" rehabilitation and reconstruct programs.

4. National Strategy Plan on Disaster Management in Lao PDR
National Strategy Plan on DM is consisted of the works expressing in the general vision to 2020 which is broken down into periods as:
2001 - 20202001 - 2010
2001 - 2005
The General Objectives of the National Action Plan on DM to 2020 are:Make Lao society safe and could be able to reduce the negative impacts of disaster to people lives, economy, state assets and people properties.
To make sure that people who were affected by disaster have been assisted on time and quickly recovery.
Having the regulations with fully insurance welfare.
Link programme between Disaster Management and other sector programs.

The goals of the National Action Plan on DM from 2001 to 2010 are:Establish the District Disaster Management Committee in all districts.
Identify the focal point in all sectorals (state and privation).
Develop and establish early warning and information system in all of 142 districts in country.
Set up information network in disaster prone villages.
Construct warehouses for storing the emergency assistance materials in all provinces and some disaster prone districts.
Continue public awareness activities with media.
Widely organizing training on DM for all sectors and levels.
Organize simulation exercise with the involvement of rescue team unit in sectors and community.
Raise capacity up on cooperation with other countries in the framework of Asian, Regional and United Nations to exchange information and experiences on DM.

The goals of Action Plan on DM from 2001 to 2005
1. Development of DM district level.
Establishment of Disaster Management Committee in 80% of total District with is focus on vulnerable located to disaster districts.
2. Establishment of focal point (FP) and identify contact person (CP) on DM:
Establishment of Focal Point and Identify Contact Person for DM in 30% of Senior Secondary Schools, 20% of Junior Secondary Schools and 10% of Primary
Schools.
50% of Professional Schools.
Establish DM-FP and CP in 80 % of Army Division levels.
Establish DM-FP and CP in 40% of factories (Industry, Garment).
3. Organization of Effective EW Systems:
Improvement of Sending and Receiving EW information from center to 30% of 142 districts in all country, through information system of district.
Organize dissemination of EW information to 30% of villages which are located in vulnerable areas.
4. Building Storage:
Building and Repair 5 storage in provincial level and some in district level.
5. Continue of organization 2 programs on public awareness and education with media annually.
6. Set up regulation documents on Disaster Management.
7. Training Courses:
Organize 4 training courses per year for Government Officials and Private in Provincial and District levels and 4 courses for village levels.
Development of School Programs on DM and focus on Primary School.
8. Establishment of Special Teams:
Establishment of Rescue Teams and Quick Response Team within the Municipality and provincial level by using of the army, police, students and volunteers at the
local level.
9. Produce Natural Hazard Map and determined Disaster Risk Areas in Lao PDR.
10. Development of Information Center on DM:
At the NDMO.
At the Urban Research Institute (URI) for Urban Information on DM.
11. Organize 2 disaster mitigation drills per year.

12. Disaster Management integrate to Urban and Rural Development Programs which aimed at coping of flood, drought, fire, land management, land erosion, water
management, environment protection, forest and etc... and NDMO will be center on implementing.

5. Organization for Disaster Management
Disaster Preparedness
The Development of Provincial Disaster Management Committee (PDMC)
At the provincial level, the primary responsibilities for disaster management rest with Provincial Disaster Management Committee (PDMC), which were established in 2000 by
the Prime Minister. Chairman of NDMC made order to Governor of Provinces proposed for establishing a Disaster Management Committee of Provinces, Special Region andMunicipality Levels. NDMO coordinated to reveal departments in provinces for selecting appropriated candidate to Provincial Disaster Management Committee (PDMC). In order
to be able for future making decision on local disaster management activities, the members of PDMC should include important persons in the rank of directors or deputy
directors of Provincial Departments based on Local Human Resources and Priority on Risk Management in Local. PDMC is chaired by Vince-Governors or Directors of Provincial
Department who is also the member of Provincial Party Standing Committee Parallel with this NDMO helped PDMC identify the location for focal point on DM and contact person
in provinces and assisted on draft cooperation and coordination procedure.
On development of DM organizations in Lao PDR in 2003, according to 158 govt. decree, NDMO with it's mandate has contacted DMC at provinces with advises to update thenames of PDMC members (some change had been made : due to retirement, moved to other jobs and ect...)NDMC asked PDMC to hold meeting, NDMO through contact persons
guided on drafting PDM plan based on Country strategy plan on DM to 2020 and Assignment for sector's representatives N.097. NDMC/ 30 June, 2000.
Currently, Provincial Disaster Management Committee at all provinces is setting up the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC), especially the district located at
disaster risk areas, and some already established. In addition, in order to strengthening community capacity to deal with disaster, NDMO encourage PDMC and DDMC which
already established to set up Village Disaster Prevention Committee. (These for Lao project proposal).

Capacity Building through Training and Workshop:
In case of Lao PDR the gaining policy support from Leaders or Decision Makers are also mean a gaining funding support for activities on DM. That's why to have thiskind of power, NDMO's experience is to involve a Representatives of Mass Organization, Lao Youth Union, Lao Women Union and Head of Village and Officials in
Difference Levels to joint activities - Since NDMO had established in 1997, many training courses and workshops on Disaster Management were conducted forgovernment officials in all levels (central and local levels) such as - 2 information workshops, one national workshop, 16 provincial workshops, 1 workshop for Directorof Media, 1 planning workshop, 2 Training of Trainer courses, drought and desertification combating and training courses for villagers with more than 1,000 villagers
participated. In 2000, NDMO had initiated Training Courses on DM for Lao government officials in all levels Provincial Disaster Management Committee (PDMC)
members in which invited also representatives from different groups of people for example: the course organized in Champasack Province, Sep 2001, number ofparticipants were the village chiefs, in Attapue province 10 participants were Members of National Assembly (Member of Parliament) for Southern Region, in Bokeo
province on the training course in April 2001, among participants were noble monks from different Buddish temples. Evaluation of activities on Public Awareness andEducation for the year 2000 showed working with representatives had good impact on society, because they have had regularly contact and work with people andpeople listened to them. All those representatives were very enthusiastic talking and discussing widely with community on topics of Disaster Management andEnvironment Protection, on Land and Water Management, and Reforestation etc...
In recent year, from 2002-2003, training activities on Disaster Management were widely conducted for all levels in Laos with close cooperated with internal andexternal organizations, such as:
Training course on DM for director of primary schools within Vientiane Municipality in conjunction with Ministry of Education
Training course on DM for fire prevention department officials from central and provincial levels in the company of Ministry of Interior.
Training course on fire response and preparedness for villagers in fire prone areas within Vientiane Municipality with Urban Research and Design
Institution.
Training workshop on Disaster Management Curriculum in primary school for grade 3,4 and 5 with Ministry of Education and ADPC.
Training course on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) related to Disaster Management and Community Based Disaster Management for provincial
levels with Concern World Wide in Laos.
Training course on Early Warning, Public Awareness and Education for media staffs in the whole country and training courses on Role of Disaster
Management Organization to Emergency Relief for Chairman of Provincial Disaster Management Committee and Contact Persons on DM in allprovinces cooperate with Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) Kobe, Japan.
Training course on First Aid for staffs of Traffic Department, Min. of Interior with Lao Red Cross, training course on Fire and Road Accident Issues forprimary school teachers within Vientiane Municipality with Min. of Education and Min. of Interior in the framework of cooperative project with ADPC
and,Training course on DM for Leaders of Champasack province with World Vision Organization.
To chair on Training Courses organized by NDMO usually invited Chairman or Members of NDMC, Provincial Governor or Deputy Governor.

Working on Public Awareness with MediaIn 2000 - NDMO organized 2 training courses on DM for Media Staffs and Journalist of Newspapers, TV and National Radio within Vientiane Municipality - 36
participants were attended. NDMC issued a certificate for all participants. NDMO signed MOU with Nation Radio and Lao National Television on Public Awareness andEducation Programme. A question and answer on Disaster Management topics with awarding T-shirt widely participated by Youths from all provinces.
In 2003, NDMO organized training course on Early Warning, Public Awareness and Education of disaster flood for media staffs in National, Provincial television, radio
and newspaper in the framework of cooperative project with Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC).
In the normal time, NDMO also close cooperate with media especially National Radio and TV to together implement the public awareness activities with aimed at roadaccident reduction and fire prevention. In addition, every year as normal procedures on preparation to meet flood during forthcoming rainy season, NDMO is increased
it work with National Radio and TV for early information disseminating to communities.
Currently, NDMO have cooperated with National and Municipality Radio Station to implement Public Awareness Activities with the context of forest protection, impacts
from cutting tree, fire awareness, road accident awareness and announcement of weather forecasting.

Disaster Emergency Response
Flood in August 2002

In the rainy season, agencies whose in charge of gathering information has closely coordinated with NDMO. National Disaster Management Office has got the data of weather
forecasting from Meteorology and Hydrology Department, Mekong River Commission and getting news from international mass media. While data and information collected,
NDMO will be providing through network agency of provincial disaster management coordinator which located along the Mekong River where prone to flooding. NDMO will becore agency of checking up information through media for instance: National Television Broadcasting, Newspaper, National Radio and Provincials located by the side of MekongRiver.
Vong Phong typhoon which came from South China Sea made of heavy rain at up stream reservoir of Mekong River in August 14th, 2002 at Houaysai, Bokeo province. Flooded
August 16th, 2002 Mekong flooded Luangprabang province and August 18th, 2002 water came to Vientiane and getting higher through tributaries of Mekong River and causedof water level at warning point (12,5 m) in Vientiane Municipality and keep continuing higher, and raining can't drain out that caused water level get higher and higher. During
this period, broadcasting of flood warning had been made many times and every 30 minutes through Nation and Provincial Radio and TV to alert people who have been living thehazard prone areas particularly near by the Mekong River and its tributaries in order to evacuate and take away of things to safety place in case of water getting higher toflooding.
Paddy fields, gardens and people's cultivation product were inundated by Mekong River and Ngum River (Nam Ngum) in urban areas of Vientiane Municipality. Prime Minister
was setting up the ad hoc committee for flood fighting in the year 2002 which presided by Agriculture & Forestry Minister. Role and function of the ad hoc committee is tocollaborate with the National Disaster Management Committee for flood prevention and fighting in this year. The ad hoc committee for flood fighting met Vientiane authority
officials and districts to make a flood prevention plan for instance: proof of embankment along Mekong River, set up teams to monitor water level and water gate and otherareas which embankment are weak by encourage local security guards to collaborate with district police for watching throughout 24 hours. The ad hoc committee for floodfighting in year 2002 had delegated its responsibility to Vientiane Authority Officials and Irrigation Officials to catch up and watching regularly of flood situation. The inspection
Committee was also set up in order to do daily follow up issues with consists of various government agencies. Proofing of embankment and water gate had been carried out
under the Agriculture sector to provide mechanic. Transportation and communication section in charge of sand supplier and Labour & Social Sector was a sand-bag supplier.
Mass media is a core point for stimulation of sand-bags and kinds contribution from NGOs and private sectors and etc... Dried food, rice, pure water and other nutriments arealso donated to the flood victims by the Disaster Management Committee. Boat mobilize force which get collaborated by private sectors & village security guards to evacuate
people, animals and needed things in flooded area along river bank. Beside that those force also mobilized food, pure water and medicines to distribute to flood victims at
temporary sites. At the district and village level was encouraging the youth forces and volunteers to work on improving embankment and set up team to give watching through24 hours. Chairman and members of flood relief committee distributed relief packages and medicines to flood victims in 4 districts and Ministry of Agriculture had distributedorganic fertilizers, vegetable, rice and corn seeds to various villages for replanting after flood.

IGOs and NGOs Cooperation on Disaster Preparedness and Response* Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), Kobe, Japan
Lao PDR is one of the member countries of ADRC. We all recognize that ADRC is a strong organization in promoting the Disaster Risk Reduction Activities in Asian Region. ADRC
activities is dynamically progressing and enlarging step by step. The cooperation between ADRC and NDMO-Lao PDR is started in more than year ago. From Lao side, National
Disaster Management Office (NDMO), on behave of Lao Government Organization to collaborate with ADRC to share and exchange information on disaster management. Since
then until now, several cooperative activities have implemented. ADRC has provided funds for NDMO's staffs and other organization related to disaster management in Lao PDR
to take part in training and workshops on Disaster Risk Management which were conducted by ADRC in Japan and outside Japan. Recently, ADRC allocated US$ 10,000 to
support NDMO to run the Project in the title of "Human Resource Development on Disaster Management." The project was carried out in the pattern of bilateral cooperation
between ADRC and NDMO Laos. The project activities focused on 2 training workshops on Disaster Management. First for chairman and contact persons of Disaster Management
Committee with more emphasized on Disaster Management Organization Role of Emergency, Relief and Mitigation in case of disaster. Second for media staffs in the wholecountry with more accentuated on Early Warning, Public Awareness and Education of disaster. The project objective is to promote increasing the government official's capacity
on Disaster Management, predominantly all members of Disaster Management Committee at all levels in various aspects of DM and on the other hand is to build up early
warning activities, public awareness and education through media means and promoting of sustainable development by reducing the losses and damages from disaster tocommunities and society in the whole country.
Project Implementation and Outcome:The project duration is for 6 months from November 2002 to April 2003. Project cooperation of NDMO and ADRC (Japan) helped strengthen collaboration among NDMO withmedia and created good working relationship with Provincial Disaster Management Committee (PDMC) in countrywide (three workshops had been held initially two but to reduce
the traveling cost it had been agreed to spirited the Second workshop for Chairmen and Contact persons of DM into 2 spared with same contents, (one for the North and anotherfor South). Based on workshop report, we recognized that the first workshop was held in Thalad hotel of Vientiane province in February 04th to 06th, 2003 for media staffs
which was attended by 38 participants from TV, Radio and News papers at national and provincial levels of almost sectors and provinces (accepted Phongsaly) . The workshop
used NDMO's lecturers to run the course with assistance of resource persons from ADRC and UN-OCHA and some invited resource persons. The workshop was chaired by
Mr.Somphanh Phengkhammy, Minister of Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Chairman of NDMC. Mr. Somphanh Phengkhammy delivered opening statement with emphasizedon YOKOHAMA STRATEGY 1997 and was appreciated ADRC's and UN-OCHA's generosity for its assisting to Disaster Management activity in Lao PDR by having common projectwith NDMO. He also made big thank to Ms. IZUMI, Mr. YOSHIMURA and Mr. Mizukami for traveling to Laos and lecturing to workshop.
A closing session run by Mr. Vanhthong, Director of Mass Media Department and awarded participants with certificates signed by NDMO, DMM of MIC and ADRC.
* Second workshop was conducted in the meeting room of Champasack Administrative building in April 23rd to 24th, 2003 which was attended by 18 participants, all of them
are Chairmen and Contact persons of Disaster Management Committee (DMC) of provinces in the central and southern part of Laos, namely Vientiane Municipality, Bolikhamxai,
Khammouane, Savannakhet, Saravan, Sekong, Champasack and Attapue. The event welcoming by speech of Mr. Thongvang Sihachack, Member of Central Committee of Lao
People Renovation Party, Governor of Champasack province and Mr. Laoly Fayphengyoua, Vice Minister of MLSW gave opening speech. The Department of Labor & Social Welfare(DLSW) of Champasack province was a co-hosted workshop. Country Strategy document on DM to 2020 first time introduced in this forum. In this meeting special emphasizes
made to build "culture of collaboration & coordination" among DM organizations and with other govt. public and private sectors and agencies. DLSW as the host province offereddinner for Mr. Laoly & participants.
* Third workshop was held in Louangprabang province in May 12th to 13th, 2003 which was attended by 24 participants from Chairman and Contacts Persons of DM of 9
provinces in the Central and Northern part of Laos, namely Vientiane, Siengkhouang, Hoaphan, Luangprabang, Phongsaly, Odomxai, Luangnamtha, Bokeo and Sayngabuly. Mr.
Khamdoua, Vice Governor of Luangprabang province opened workshop. In second & third workshops the resource persons were from NDMO. In summary, the project
cooperation of NDMO and ADRC has marked as first step working together, good relationship and collaboration between two organizations. It is opened a bright future forcooperation of NDMO- Laos and ADRC- Japan.
* Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Bangkok, Thailand
NDMO has collaborated with ADPC in sharing and exchanging the information on disaster management since NDMO was instituted in 1997. Ever since, NDMO's staffs andofficials of other organizations associated with disaster management in Lao PDR had trained the Basic on Disaster Management and take part in workshops which were organized
by ADPC in Thailand and other countries with supported by ADPC.
Currently, ADPC has supported NDMO to implement two projects in Laos:
Lao Urban Disaster Mitigation Programme (LUDMP).
LUDMP has implemented in Vientiane Municipality with fund supported by usAID through ADPC. This project is aiming to reduce the population vulnerabilities
to urban disaster which will advantage to structures and economics in the cities of Laos. The significance objective is to create system of hazard andvulnerability assessment and diminish disaster in Vientiane city and others. Many activities had been being executed such as: workshops and training courses
for partnerships (police, urban planner, communities and other related issues), hazard and vulnerability analysis, community urban hazard mapping, fire
prevention drills and etc... This project has implemented by NDMO, Urban Research Institute, Fire Police Protection Department and ADPC.
Project on Development Additional Teaching Materials with contents of Disaster Management for Primary School in grade 3, 4 and 5.
The project was funded by DANIDA, Denmark in the course of ADPC. The project's goal and objective is to create curriculum on disaster management toeducate school children and students in the school in order to conscious them on hazard and disaster risk. And on the other hand, is to strengthen institutional
capacities of national disaster management systems in the area of public awareness through educating schoolchildren in the subjects of public safety,

environment protection, health and sanitation. The project activities are to develop a curriculum for teaching disaster management course on DM to teachers
at primary school. The project was launched by NDMO, Ministry of Laobour and Social Welfare (MLSW) and National Research Institute for Educational Science,
Ministry of Education (MOE).

* Disaster Mitigation with World Food Programme (WFP)
WFP - collaboration projects with Lao Government (NMDO, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and other organizations) aims at supplying food and maintain the vulnerable
communities at the hazard/ disaster prone areas. WFP helped government to conduct vulnerability and risk assessment in the country, and cooperate in responding to flood anddrought disasters in the form of food supply by creating Food for Work activities. Food for work activities were implemented in many provinces by government organizations andNGOs. WFP has carried out projects on Disaster Mitigation and Response with NDMO, Social Welfare Department, MLSW through NGOs collaboration and directly withgovernment.

* Disaster Preparedness Project with Care International in Lao PDR (CARE)
In the previous time, NDMO, MLSW and Care International had executed many cooperative projects on Disaster Preparedness, prevention and mitigation at the provinces anddistricts disaster prone areas. Recently, Care International and NDMO, MLSW collectively implemented project on Disaster Preparedness in Champhone and Xonbury districts,
Savannakhet province in the duration of two years (2001-2002), which was funded by Government of Australia (Aus aid) and World Food Programme in the total amount of US$
378,458. The project goals and objectives are to enhance and advance disaster preparedness and response at the district and village levels, especially, to the poor households
who vulnerable to natural disasters in the course of project and measures designed to increase food production of households at village level. 60 target villages were carried out
vulnerability and risk analysis to natural disasters and advanced disaster preparedness plans. Based on the information analysis and community needs, many activities were
implemented in the pattern of Food for Work Activities such as: intensifying cultivation areas; digging wells; constructing check dams (small irrigation systems) in order toprevent and mitigate floods and droughts, and helping poor households be able to increase their cultivation areas and generate more incomes; organize revolving funds andwater management groups. In order to make communities could generate more incomes, the project also supplied fruit and vegetable seeds and baby fishes and provide
consultation, training and orientation to communities. The project was extremely benefit to communities, for instances, some poor households previously forced shortages ofrice and food could become self-sufficient on food.

* Capacity Building on DM for Provincial and District Officials with Concern World Wide (CWW)
The programme is the collaboration project between NDMO and CWW in the phase of 2 years with funded by DEPECHO in the amount of Euro 188,619. The project was
implemented in 8 districts of Khammouane and Savannakhet Provinces with addressed on training and providing techniques to provincial and district authorities by increasing
and strengthening capacity of government officials on disaster preparedness at provincial and district levels. This project supplementary emphasized on structural institution,
coordination mechanism and implementing of disaster preparedness and response, in particularly, is to upgrade skills of early warning system, information reporting andadvancing community disaster preparedness. Various trainings, training of trainers and workshops were conducted for Disaster Management Committee and contact persons on
DM at provincial and district levels in the contents of Disaster Management and Community Based Disaster Management. In addition, the project also set up telephone/ wirelesscommunication/ HAM radio networks at the district, provincial and national levels.

* Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM) with World Vision (WV)
This is the first CBDM cooperative project between NDMO, MLSW and WV which has been implementing in Champasack district, Champasack province. The project was
supported by Aus aid with 3 years execution (2001-2003). The project goal and objective is to enhance and strengthen capacity of district and village authorities and target
village population to effective disaster preparedness, particularly community organization institution. The major activities were implemented such as: trainings and workshops
on DM; creation of information management, building experimenting Agri. Station, monitoring and early warning systems at village level; conduct hazard mapping at district andvillage levels, disaster risk analysis, and community disaster management plans; construction of dikes/ reservoirs for floods and droughts prevention; introduction of new seeds,
fruit trees and innovative agricultural technique. In addition, the project also provided vegetable seeds and tiny fruit trees including cultivation machineries to communities.

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