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Over 200 Fatalities in 10 Months of Traffic Accidents

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Over 200 people were killed in road accidents around Vientiane in the first 10 months of this year, with most of the crashes attributed to drunken driving.

Deputy Chief of the Vientiane Traffic Police Department, Major Sangkhom Phommalath, reported that from January to October there were 1,275 road accidents in the capital and 215 people were killed.

This was an increase on the same period last year and, once again, most road accidents occurred as a result of drunken driving and speeding.

On average about five people died each week. Most of the accidents occurred in Xaythany and Chanthabouly districts.

Some 295 people were left in a critical condition, 793 were seriously injured and 514 people were slightly injured.

In addition, 214 vehicles were written off, 1,623 sustained moderate damage and 870 vehicles sustained minor damage. The cost of the damage was estimated at over 10 billion kip. Major Sangkhom Phommalath said the Vientiane Traffic Police Department periodically runs road safety campaigns to remind motorists of the traffic regulations and hopefully prevent accidents.

Police have also been spreading the road safety message around schools and offices in the capital. They attempt to get motorists’ attention by explaining the traffic regulations, showing photos of accidents, and teaching people how to prevent accidents.

Police set up a road safety booth at the That Luang Festival this year in a bid to stem the rising number of accidents during festivals and holidays.

Last year, the police road safety booth attracted public interest thanks to its various activities and the prizes that were on offer.

The number of road accidents overall continues to increase. About 90 percent of accidents involve drunken driving, speeding and other violations of the traffic rules.

Many accidents occur on weekends and special occasions when people get together to drink. Most of the accidents involve motorbikes and occur in the evening and at night.

Source: Vientiane Times

Women Need Greater Empowerment in Agriculture

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Women play important roles in the agriculture and forestry sector but women’s empowerment and the promotion of gender roles is still limited, particularly in rural areas.

Different sections within the agriculture and forestry sector, especially some departments, divisions and some projects implementing policy in the field, still lack understanding of women’s empowerment and the meaning of gender roles.

Head of the Women’s Empowerment and the Mother and Child Division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ms Sisomphet Souvanthalisith, highlighted the issue at a meeting in Vientiane last week.

The coordination of women’s empowerment and gender role activities at each level is not yet adequate, especially amongst staff and some coordinators in the field, Ms Sisomphet said.

Some staff don’t understand the role of the Women’s Union or comprehend women’s empowerment activities, she added. Gender policy implementation through to planning and inspection has not progressed while the use of gender role information and statistics in each activity is not being effectively promoted and the number of women participating in decision making is still limited, she added.

However, through women’s empowerment and gender role implementation in previous years, the Women’s Empowerment and Mother and Child Division has enjoyed some success in including more women in decision making.

Women in the sector have also received training on various topics and techniques to assist in their empowerment.

The ministry’s five year Gender Equality Strategy Plan from 2011-2015 advised that the number of women staff and farmers participating in the formation and discussion of documents should reach 60 percent of total participants.

The number of female staff and farmers participating in training was targeted at 35 percent, while the actual number hit 35.90 percent last year.

The division also planned that the number of women farmers participating in technical and occupational training for skill development should be at least 45 percent, with the actual figure coming in at 45.2 percent.

The strategy also planned to increase the percentage of female staff in each entry level role that go on to attain a decision-making position to 15 percent, while the figure attained exceeded the target at 19.6 percent.

The division now aims to create opportunities for at least 30 percent of female staff at every level to develop their education in the years ahead.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Khambounnat Xayanon, stressed that each sector under the ministry should pay more attention to promoting women’s empowerment and gender roles in order to increase women’s participation. He noted that this could be achieved through closer cooperation and coordination.

Some 115 people participated in the meeting, of which 69 were women from different divisions of the agriculture and forestry sector around the country.

Source: Vientiane Times

Plan Int’l, BEQUAL Extend Support for Education in Oudomxay

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The Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos (BEQUAL) project will help an estimated 450,000 children in Oudomxay province to receive a better quality education.

Plan International Laos and BEQUAL signed a 10-year programme with the Ministry of Education and Sports in Vientiane on Thursday.

The programme will support children in the districts of Houn and Nga in Oudomxay province.

Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos is a 10-year programme led by the Lao governments and Australia, with support from the European Union. BEQUAL will help these children receive a better quality education, with a particular focus on children who traditionally experience poorer education outcomes.

The BEQUAL NGO consortium supports district education and sports offices and village education development committees to promote participation in and access to education by children living in remote and rural locations. The Consortium comprises Plan International, Save the Children, Child Fund and World Vision.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Plan will work with the education and sports offices in Houn and Nga districts, the provincial education and sports department in Oudomxay, and the Ministry of Education and Sports in Vientiane to implement activities in 50 target schools, including with addition al funding support from the World Food Programme.

Activities under this project will encourage children, particularly non-Lao speakers, girls and children with disabilities, to enrol in and complete a full course of quality primary education, supported by their parents and communities.

The activities will focus on addressing the quality of teaching of early grade reading and Lao language acquisition in schools, and enabling community engagement to create healthy supportive learning environments in homes and communities.

Previously, the World Bank has partnered with Plan International and Save the Children International to investigate the root causes of early school leaving and low educational outcomes in primary schools in Laos.

Launched in 2015, the Lao Educational Access, Research and Networking (LEARN) project aimed to improve the quality of learning and primary school retention rates for children in four districts of Oudomxay province and three districts of Luang Prabang province.

Source: Vientiane Times

Animal Vaccination Day Gives Boost to Livestock Health

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is encouraging every province and district in the country to make sure livestock are vaccinated against common diseases.

Last year, animal disease outbreaks occurred in many provinces. Regular vaccination would improve the health of individual animals and also help to make entire areas disease free, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Phouangparisak Pravongviengkham, said on Friday.

The deputy minister was speaking at an event in Phonxay village, Xaythany district, Vientiane, to mark National Animal Vaccination Day on November 11.

Farmers across the country are being urged to get their livestock vaccinated to decrease the number of unexpected animal deaths.

The day focused on the importance of vaccinating all livestock, as vaccinations can prevent terrible suffering and deaths among animals.

Today, more than 400 animals will be vaccinated, including buffaloes, cattle, goats, and pigs, Dr Phouangparisak said.

The ministry will focus on surveillance in high-risk areas, animal movement control and illegal trading. Officials instructed authorities around the country to carry out similar vaccination activities on this day.

This year, we hope that farmers cooperate so that 80-100 percent of animals in target districts are vaccinated. We would like to see 70 percent of livestock in towns vaccinated and 40 percent of animals in rural areas, Dr Phouangparisak added.

We’ll use more than 10 types of vaccine to protect livestock, including poultry, to prevent seasonal diseases, he said.

We selected November 11 as a suitable day for this initiative because this is when livestock gather in pens and most farmers have finished their rice harvesting. It is also the start of the cold season, when many animal diseases can occur.

An animal cannot tell you what it feels but diligent owners can spot signs that something is not right. But with some diseases, which can be prevented by vaccination, signs of illness may mean it is already too late.

According to the Xaythany agriculture and forestry office, people can bring their animals to be vaccinated at any district agriculture and forestry office from November 2016 to November 2017.

It is expected that over 600,000 animals will be vaccinated in Xaythany district this fiscal year.

Source: Vientiane Times

Lao Brewery Provides Education Scholarships

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Lao Brewery Co., Ltd. will be providing 330 scholarships to students attending educational institutes around the country during 2016-2017 worth about 976 million kip in total.

Since 2010 the Lao Brewery Co., Ltd. has provided scholarship funds to students with a special focus on assisting poor students to complete their studies.

In 2010-2012 the company provided 100 scholarships annually to National University of Laos (NUOL) students and from 2012 until now have provided 120 scholarships per year. In total 640 scholarships at a cost of 1.77 billion kip have been awarded.

During 2016-2017 the project will provide 330 scholarships for students to attend the seven educational institutes of NUOL, National Institute of Fine Arts (NIFA), Souphanouvong University, Champassak University, Savannakhet University, Pakxe Teachers College, and Savannakhet College-Institute.

A scholarship award ceremony for NUOL and NIFA students took place in Vientiane on Friday to provide 150 scholarships worth 440 million kip. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Managing Director of Lao Brewery Co., Ltd. Mr Sounthone Sirisack, Vice President of NUOL Associate Professor Dr Houngphet Chanthavong, Director of the National Institute of Fine Arts Dr Maysing Chanboutdy, lecturers and students.

Lao Brewery Co., Ltd.’s scholarships are assisting human resource development in the country, targeting disadvantaged students who lack education opportunities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Sounthone said Lao Brewery Co., Ltd. is supporting the cultural, socio-economic and educational development of the country. We hope the students who received the scholarships today will have the opportunity to contribute to our country’s socio-economic development.

Source: Vientiane Times

Lao Front Elects Party Leadership

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The Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) on Friday elected its Party leadership to oversee the work of the organisation for the next five years.

The election took place at the Front’s fourth Party Congress, which also reviewed the performance of the LFNC over past years and discussed the next five-year plan.

Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President, Mr Bounnhang Vorachit, was present at the congress which was attended by 101 delegates including 27 women.

The congress elected the new LFNC Party Committee comprising nine members, who were chosen from 11 candidates.

Politburo member and President of the LFNC Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane was elected Party Secretary of the LFNC. Mr Khambay Damlat was elected as Deputy Party Secretary and Ms Khamchanh Phomsengsavanh was elected as Chairwoman of the Inspection Committee of the LFNC. The three have been elected as the Front’s Standing Committee.

Following the election, President Bounnhang told the newly-elected Party Committee to take steps to translate the Resolution of the congress into detailed work plans and programmes in order to fully realise them.

He advised the Front’s new Party leadership to endeavour to strengthen the body’s organisational structure towards greater ideological strength.

Mr Bounnhang told the new Party Committee to pay great attention to raising ideological awareness and inspiring a morally revolutionary spirit among Party cadres and officials, and educate them to be cognisant of state laws and regulations and to have a strong sense of responsibility.

The new committee was told to work harder to push Party cadres and officials in the LFNC to teach themselves to improve their professional competence to meet the growing needs and requirements of the existing work and responsibilities of officials. The Party Secretary General stressed the need for the committee to improve its leadership and working methods based on centralised democratic principles.

The committee was told to attach great importance to attracting assistance and cooperation from friendly countries and international organisations to improve the performance of the LFNC and enhance its work. Mr Bounnhang praised the LFNC for its achievements over past years.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

HIV Prevention Project Underway in Champassak

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The Integrated Development Project for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS has launched in Champassak province to prevent the risk of human exploitation and trafficking and risk of sexually contracted infections.

The project is now in its second phase in Phonthong district and runs from 2016-2019. The project targets six villages which are close to the Thai border and therefore vulnerable to the risks of unsafe migration.

The risks include those of abuse, drugs, human exploitation and trafficking and sexually contracted infections. All of these risks have the potential to damage lives, so the project is focused on their prevention.

The first phase of the project from 2012-2015 in Phonthong district provided assistance to local HIV-contracted families for their physical and psychological health as well to improve their living standards.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony to continue the Integrated Development Project for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS took place in Vientiane on Friday, inked by Head of the Champassak provincial Health Department Mr Somkiat Vorralath and Country Director of World Concern Laos Mr Nigel Goddard.

Mr Goddard said World Concern Laos has had the privilege of serving the Lao people since 1983, working in Luang Namtha, Saravan, Xekong and Champassak provinces.

We are currently working through integrated development projects in Saravan and Champassak provinces, working to strengthen communities in their capacity for livelihoods, health education, and protection, he said.

We see prevention as better, more cost effective and more effective in alleviating suffering than cure.

That is why this project focuses on awareness raising, vocational training, leadership and community development in order to promote a more protective environment, which helps prevent unsafe migration and its risks, he added.

If villagers who migrate are aware of how to protect themselves and how to migrate safely then they will be less likely to fall into dangerous situations or contract HIV and spread it in their home villages .

If villages have strong governance they will be better protected by their leaders, and with improved livelihoods and quality of life in their own village they are less likely to choose to migrate to risky situations.

Source: Vientiane Times

Law Amendments to Enhance Livestock Industry, Food Hygiene

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Amendments to the Law on Animal Husbandry and Veterinary are set to give a significant boost to livestock businesses, ensure environmentally friendly operations and provide hygienic food for consumers.

The law drafting committee told the National Assembly last week that the amendments are in line with the Party and government’s policies and hygienic standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Trade Organisation.

The changes will promote animal husbandry in Laos in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner to ensure food security towards production on a commercial basis, while ensuring safety for consumers.

The amendments highlight policies to facilitate the upgrade of currently nature-based animal husbandry into a modern animal husbandry industry.

The policies include the promotion of scientific research and experiments concerning animal husbandry knowhow, breeders, animal feed, and economic returns.

The relevant sectors are required to regulate breeders by registering their intellectual property rights, compiling information, and so on.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is mandated to develop technical standards and train professional researchers to carry out animal feed analysis to facilitate growth of the animal husbandry industry.

The state promotes investment in the livestock industry, while ensuring businesses will not adversely affect the environment or nearby communities.

The amendments prohibit farmers from feeding their livestock with growth-enhancing substances that also have side effects on human health. All production chain processes must follow safety guidelines, including those on chemical use.

The amendments also define measures to prevent animal disease outbreaks by requiring people who suspect the onset of any disease to inform authorities in charge of animal husbandry and veterinary affairs within 24 hours. Once a suspected disease is confirmed, the authorities are required to inform international organisations when it is deemed necessary. If the disease is found to have affected humans, the authorities are required to inform the health authorities within 24 hours.

Once informed of a potential disease, the authorities in charge of animal husbandry and veterinary affairs must take immediate action through preventive and response measures against any occurring disease.

These include identifying control zones, spraying chemicals to kill the suspected pathogen or disease, and prohibiting the movement of livestock.

A compensation policy is also outlined for farmers whose livestock are killed as part of response measures to prevent the disease from spreading.

The draft amendments to the law also require the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to put in place the necessary technologies, facilities and personnel capable of diagnosing animal diseases.

The amendments also identify stricter measures to inspect animal products before they are imported into Laos so as to prevent products containing a pathogen as well as contaminated food from entering Laos.

Stricter inspection is also required to be carried out in slaughterhouses before meat is sent to markets. The amendments also define the considerate treatment of animals.

Parties found to be violating this amended law will be penalised under measures outlined in the law and other relevant regulations and laws.

Source: Vientiane Times

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