The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has agreed to continue its partnership with the Lao Red Cross on relief assistance and disaster response.
President of the IFRC and President of the Japanese Red Cross, Mr Tadateru Konoé, on Monday met with Lao Red Cross President Mr Khamhoung Heuangvongsy in Vientiane to discuss further cooperation.
A welcome ceremony took place at the Lao Red Cross office in Vientiane, attended by officials from both organisations.
The two parties discussed plans for relief assistance, aid supply storage and logistical systems. They also discussed the mobilisation of funding resources.
Mr Khamhoung said the IFRC and Lao Red Cross have worked together in the past on relief assistance, disaster response and capacity building for Lao Red Cross personnel.
Some years ago, the IFRC provided vital assistance to Lao people affected by natural disasters at a cost of more than 800 million kip.
The Lao Red Cross was founded on January 1, 1955, and recognised by the ICRC on May 23, 1957, becoming a member of the IFRC on October 25 of the same year. The Lao organisation is one of 190 members comprising the National Societies of the IFRC movement, the world’s largest humanitarian aid organisation.
The Lao Red Cross works to provide emergency assistance to vulnerable people, including the provision of aid and medical treatment in response to natural disasters.
It also works with communities to improve health conditions and livelihoods, in line with the fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements.
Mr Tadateru Konoé also paid a courtesy visited to the Vice President Mr Phankham Viphavanh at the President Office in Vientiane on Tuesday.
Source: Vientiane Times
