On 31 August, Luang Namtha Province called on domestic and foreign sectors to donate money and supplies to help residents recover from severe flooding that struck the province.
The appeal joins a wave of donation calls from flood-hit provinces across Laos in recent weeks.
Between 29 and 30 August, heavy rain triggered flash floods in more than 50 villages, including the Boten Daen Ngam Special Economic Zone near the China border checkpoint. The floods cut off roads and damaged homes, farmland, and property in more than 2,400 households in Luang Namtha district alone.
Officials have not yet valued the full losses.
The northern province is currently focused on sheltering displaced residents and supporting recovery efforts. Authorities have appealed for consumer goods, food, medicines, and other essentials, and have set up a provincial account and relief reception points to receive contributions.
Neighboring provinces have faced similar disasters.
Oudomxay suffered a severe flood wave on 29 to 30 August, when torrential rain hit Namor, Xay, and La districts and affected at least 81 villages.
Meanwhile, in Luang Prabang, a flash flood hit Nambak district on 30 August. A provincial survey later found the flood affected eight villages and more than 1,000 people, damaging rice paddies, vegetable plots, and fruit gardens, with losses estimated at LAK 1.83 billion (USD 81,000).
Savannakhet Also Appeals for Donations
Earlier on 24 August, Savannakhet called for public donations after flooding hit 13 districts and the provincial capital, Kaysone Phomvihane City, earlier in August, flooding homes in 177 villages and affecting more than 40,200 people, according to officials.
The floods killed two people, left one missing, and forced thousands into evacuation centers or relatives’ homes.
Donation Calls Spark Criticism
The wave of donation appeals has drawn mixed reactions from the public.
Some social media users have questioned why authorities keep asking citizens to donate when the National Disaster Management Agency already holds relief funds. “Why not use the billion-kip disaster relief fund?” one comment read, calling for an urgent parliamentary meeting to release the money.
Others asked where tax revenue goes, while some argued that responding to disasters is the government’s duty, not the public’s.
