The National Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control is mobilising funds and household essentials as it moves to provide disaster assistance to people in the northern provinces who were impacted by flash flooding this month month.Over the period from August 8-22, heavy rains and flooding was experienced in many northen provinces such as Luang Prabang, Xayaboury, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Xieng Khuang, Huaphan, Bokeo, and Xaysomboun.
Meanwhile, many thousands of families in the provinces were impacted by flash flooding. Many hectares of agricultural areas and uplands in the provinces were also inundated.
The authorities are seeking more assistance from state organisations and private businesses for drinking water, food, and household essentials.
The Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Dr Khampheng Saysompheng, on Thursday evening held a press conference in Vientiane calling on state organisations and private businesses to contribute to assist people who were impacted by flash flooding in the northern provinces.
Dr Khampheng Saysompheng said currently there are many state organisations and private businesses which have offered assistance to help the victims of the recent flooding but as yet it is not sufficient to assist all of them.
Up until now, the Prime Minister’s Office has provided 50 million kip, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 50 million kip, Ministry of Energy and Mines 50 million kip, Ministry of Science and Technology 50 million kip, and Minis try of Posts and Telecommunications 50 million kip.
Besides that many private business also provided rice, drinking water, food and other household essentials.
The National Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control recently teamed up to deliver drinking water, household essentials as well as emergency cash payments to the affected victims.
The assistance, valued at 200 million kip, was handed over to Luang Prabang authorities, who will be responsible for disbursing it to flood affected residents.
According to provincial authorities, a total of127 villages, 569 houses and 3,192 families suffered flooding to various extents. Some 69 houses suffered serious damage and 31 were washed away.
More than 187 hectares of rice land, 88 hectares of fruit plantations, and over 67 hectares of other plantation crops were also affected.
The flooding also saw damage sustained by 41 irrigation channels, 16 bridges and 27 irrigation dams.
Tragically, four people were also killed during the flooding, according to the provincial authorities. The victims were reportedly trying to cross a river when they were swept away by the cur rents.
Also some 139 families in the three districts of Houayxai, Pha-Oudom and Paktha of Bokeo were affected.
More than 200 hectares of upland and wet season rice within the districts were damaged and almost 100 livestock and poultry deaths were reported.
Some district roads were also damaged, especially in Paktha and Pha-Oudom, which suffered from landslides and washouts.
Private businesses who wish to assist can call either 021 213 005 or 020 55521811.
Source: Vientiane Times
