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Counting the Costs: Disaster Needs in Laos Accumulate as Gov, UN, EU, WB Calculate Impacts

Child flood victims
Sanamxay Flood victims in Paksong Shelter pictured immediately after disaster, July 2018.

The tragic loss of life and heavy impacts on livelihoods amid disaster triggered by pounding rains and rushing waters means there is no doubt 2018 has proved a challenging and heartbreaking one for too many people in Laos.

This rainy season has impacted on lives and livelihoods, and nowhere more than in Sanamxay district in Attapeu province, site of the impact of the water released by the collapse of Saddle Dam D at Xe Pian Xe Namnoy project still under construction.

An assessment of the total impact is being conducted as a concerted effort by the government, supported by the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union – EU and is meant to provide in-depth insight on the damage the floods have caused, as well as to define what is needed to fully recover from such impacts.

The importance of accurately and timely measurement of impacts and recovery efforts saw the launch of the 2018 Post-Disaster Needs Assesment Monday attended by some 150 including government representatives led by the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare.

The effort will cover the entire country, and focus will be put on the most affected, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare and Chairman of the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee (NDPCC), Dr Khampheng Saysompheng told the opening ceremony of the orientation on the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA).

Disasters reduce development gains & hamper economic growth, meaning that planning and building in resilience are essential in an era of climate change and to achieve Laos National Socio-Economic Development Plans and the United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the meeting heard.

A total of 2,409 villages with 113,507 families have been affected by disasters nationwide in 2018, the NDPCC reported.

Around 17,000 people are currently evacuated from their villages, and 500 kms of damaged roads are making access to these areas difficult.

Some 62 million dollars’ worth of crops and farmlands have been hit and more than 100,000 hectares of paddy fields have been damaged.

Authorities have arranged temporary accommodation for 3,616 families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

As the figures suggest, accurately gauging the extent of the impact nationwide is an ongoing challenge.

As such, government officials met with counterparts of development partner bodies to hold a brainstorming session on ways to best assist flooding victims nationwide and estimate damages and losses caused by the slew of recent disasters across the country.

The objectives of the meeting were to assess costs and losses caused by the recent floods across the country, to identify recovery needs to develop a sustainable recovery strategy and to guide donors funding, aiming to build back better and safer and ensure a more successful, resilient and sustainable recovery.

Dr Khampheng called on the participants to share lessons learned from other natural disasters for the successful implementation of relief and rehabilitation measures.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP resident representative, Ms Kaarina Immonen said while the Asia–Pacific region experienced rapid economic growth, disaster risk is outpacing resilience.

For Laos, the emphasis on strengthening disaster risk management is particularly important as this will build resilience to future extreme weather events, Ms Immonen said.

Condolences as Laos reacts to Vietnam’s President Tran’s passing

Vietnam's President Tran(KPL)
President Tran lays a wreath in Laos in 2016 (KPL).

The passing of the head of state of Laos’ neighbour and close political ally Vietnam, President Tran Dai Quang, 61, has led to the expected condolences and tributes from the nation’s political and state leadership.

“On behalf of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, the National Assembly and Government of Laos and the Lao Front for National Construction, Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachit on Friday cabled a message of condolences to the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee, the National Assembly and Government of Việt Nam, and the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, in which he expressed his deep condolences over the passing of President Quang,” Vietnam News reported.

A state funeral is expected to be held this week in Hanoi, with representation at the highest level from Laos most likely.

The presidents of the two countries met in January this year in Hanoi, and President Tran also received a courtesy call from Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith at the end of March.

According to the Vietnam News Agency, the Vietnamese President died at Military Central Hospital 108 due to serious illness.

Mr. Quang is survived by his wife and two sons.

His death is expected to leave a vacancy to be filled in the country’s state and party institutions including the Party’s powerful policymaking Political Bureau (Politbureau) on which he was ranked second after General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

President Tran Dai Quang was elected State President at the 11th session of the 13th National Assembly on April 22016.

Born on October 121956, he joined the Communist Party of Vietnam on July 261980, his career involving service in a litany of State and Party committee positions, including serving as Minister of Public Security with the rank of General.

AccorHotels Supports Attapeu Disaster Relief Efforts

AccorHotels donates to Attapeu victims

In response to the devastation caused by the dam collapse in Attapeu, AccorHotels donated US$10,000 to the Lao Red Cross to support immediate disaster relief efforts and to assist with emergency measures in the areas affected by the dam collapse.

On behalf of AccorHotels, Mr Jean Marc LaFosse, General Manager for Pullman Luang Prabang and Area General Manager for Laos, Mr. Denis Dupart – General Manager (Mission) of Pullman Luang Prabang, and Mr. Chin Pitak Norathepkitti, Resort Manager of Sofitel Luang Prabang and 3Nagas Luang Prabang, handed over the donation to Dr. Viengsavanh Kaseumsuk, Head of Lao Red Cross.

“We are saddened by the disaster which had affected the people in Laos. Our hearts are with the victims and their families and we hope that we can extend some assistance to those affected by the disaster and contribute to the rescue efforts,” said Patrick Basset, AccorHotels’ Chief Operating Officer for Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia and the Maldives.

The donation reaffirms AccorHotels’ commitment to work hand-in-hand with local communities for a positive impact.

Celebs & Famous Faces Among Line-up to Test Drive Jaguar in Lao Capital

Aluna joins Jaguar Art of Performance Tour
Jaguar's Art of Performance Tour touches down in Vientiane.

High-speed celebrity spotting went into overdrive at ITECC at the weekend as performers like Jo Jo Miracle, singer Aluna Thavansouk & model and actor Tot Lina joined the famous faces lining up for a spin in a Jaguar over the at Lao-ITECC.

T-shirts, Slander, Spelling & Official Dismissals – This Week in Lao Social Media

in the Lao social media 21 September 2018

Laotian Times rounds up some of the highlights of the Lao social media scene for the week.

Centara to Open Three More Hotels in Laos in 2020

Centara Opens New Hotels in Laos

Centara, Thailand’s leading hospitality group led by Suthikiati Chirathivat, Chairman of the Board, has inked a management MOU with Asia Investment, Development & Construction Sole Co., Ltd (AIDC), a well-established investment and construction company in Laos. The agreement paves the way for Centara to enter into management agreements for three hotels in Laos with a combined total of 214 rooms in capital city Vientiane and historic destination Luang Prabang.

Suthikiati Chirathivat, Centara’s Chairman of the Board said: “This signing ceremony demonstrates our commitment to expansion in Asia as we continue to develop our portfolio internationally. With the expertise from a country leader in development like AIDC and Centara’s record of delivering and inspiring extraordinary guest experiences, we are very excited to be partnering for success on these three exciting projects in Laos”

The three hotels will be operated under three distinct brands in the Centara Hotels & Resorts portfolio: in close proximity to Luang Prabang airport and major tourist attractions will be Centara Grandthe upper upscale hotel comprising premium rooms, leisure and meeting facilities. Targeting the more cost-conscious traveller in Luang Prabang will be a Centra by Centara hotela quality value offering in a convenient city location whilst the latest COSI branded hotel will be arriving in Vientiane. COSI is the affordable lifestyle brand for the modern tech-savvy and connected traveller and it will offer a distinctive and localised experience in Vientiane.

Pheutsapha Phoummasak, President of AIDC Laos stated: “Luang Prabang and Vientiane are very popular destinations for both Thai and international travellers thanks to their perfect blend of historic legacy, wonderful sceneries and modern infrastructure. We are excited to partner with a Centara to bring their trusted brands to these cities and further promote the tourism potential of Laos.”

This latest development is in line with Centara’s impressive expansion strategy and will see Centara’s hotel count in Laos reach four with Centara Plumeria Resort Pakse already well under development and scheduled to open in 2020.

 

From left to right:

  1. Uaychai  Khuhakarn                   Senior Vice President-Corporate Development of Central Group
  2. Adul  Chaiprom                         Vice President of AIDC
  3. Dan  Chinsupakul                      Advisor to Chairman of the Board
  4. Pheutsapha  Phoummasak        President of AIDC
  5. Suthikiati  Chirathivat                 Chairman of the Board
  6. Suparat  Chirathivat                   Executive Vice President-Corporate Development  of Central Group
  7. Dr Ronnachit  Mahattanapreut    Senior Vice President-Finance & Administration
  8. Markland Blaiklock                    Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Laos, Mekong habitat hotspot aid helps communities, climate, conservation

Human lives and habitats intertwine
Community participation key to conservation outcomes.

With a habitat range boasting more biodiversity per square metre than the mighty Amazon basin, the arc where mountains meet the plains via the Mekong and other major river valleys form the Indo-Burma hotspot that includes Laos is well known as an area of immense natural and ecological value that is nevertheless under increased threat from degradation as populations and demands grow and the climate changes.

Efforts to protect, preserve and nurture wildlife habitat and the landscapes as well as the communities that live nearby have been given a boost via a 4-year project to support conservation activities centered on six high biodiversity landscapes in Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Encompassing some 14 protected areas in total regionwide, the Financing Agreement for the conservation of biodiversity and green growth in the Indo-Burma hotspot is co-financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

The hotspots in Laos subject to the agreement include Phou Sithone (Bolihamxay), Nam Gnouang (Bolikhamxay) and Nam et Phou Louey (Houapanh LPB and Xieng Khuang). 

The three parties inked an agreement in Vientiane Wednesday for joint implementation by local authorities of each country, the private sector and WCS teams on the ground.

The project will focus on 5 key components and follows a first 4-year phase (2014-2018) and aims at strengthening the achievements, extending geographical coverage and developing integrated management models for landscapes.

Components include (i) an integrated landscape management approach, (ii) development of community-led enterprises that value the conservation of biodiversity, (iii) Improvement of commercial practices for green growth, (iv) promotion of the application of environmental, social and governance safeguard standards, and (v) communication and experience-sharing.

‘Climate and Biodiversity are global common goods. Tackling climate change and preserving biodiversity are top priorities for France,’ Her Excellency Ms Florence Jeanblanc-Risler, Ambassador of France to the Lao PDR told the gathering for the signing of the agreement in Vientiane attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr Khambounnath Xayanone and Director-General of Department of Forestry, Mr Susath Xayakhoummaane and representatives of the embassies of Myanmar and Cambodia to Laos.

“This project will directly address the strategies identified in Laos’ National Biodiversity and Action Plan that aims to enhance the role of biodiversity as a national heritage and as a substantial contributor to poverty alleviation, as well as sustainable and resilient economic growth,’ Dr Santi Saypanya, WCS Lao PDR Deputy Director said.

He said WCS has been present in the countries of Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia for over 20 years.

This project ‘fits very well within the National Biodiversity Strategies of each country, and setting up public-private partnerships to finance the protection of biodiversity is a sustainable mechanism to be modeled for ensuring inclusive local economic development’, Mr. Matthieu Bommier, Head of AFD Vientiane Office, told the gathering.

‘Lessons emerging from WCS’s regional program show that responding to large-scale drivers of deforestation in high biodiversity landscapes requires solutions that integrate action across multiple scales with engagement of local communities, government, business sector developers, and financial investors.

“These drivers of deforestation, which are local, national and international in scope and scale, continue to exert severe and growing pressure on protected areas and local livelihoods in these high biodiversity landscapes, and demand sustained and coordinated action at multiple scales to address them,’ he said.

This presence forms the backbone of the WCS Greater Mekong priority region, providing the most advanced WCS regional program in terms of addressing major cross-cutting threats to biodiversity conservation and human welfare.

WCS has multi-year MoUs with the governments of Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia enabling a smooth and collaborative continuation of activities from the previous phase.

A video highlighting ongoing efforts including the popular tourist-friendly Nam Nern Night Safari at Nam Et Phou Louey Protected Area in Huaphan province was also screened at the signing.

Railway Cuts Through, Belt & Road Reviewed At China-ASEAN Meet

Lao-China Railway scale model
Lao China Railway model rollingstock

Travelers, tourists and residents in Laos can expect to be able to ride the rails to traverse some of the country’s key destinations and onward to China’s Yunnan province and beyond by the end of 2021, and eventually, in the other direction to Bangkok, a major strategic dialogue meeting in China has been told.

The project was 40% complete and on track, a senior academic from Laos told a strategic dialogue forum in Nanning to mark the 5th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, a major China-led initiative to boost infrastructure on regional trade routes.

The Forum was held in conjunction with the China-ASEAN Expo.

Speaking at the 11th China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum was held in Nanning, Guangxi, the Associate Dean of the Lao Academy of Social Sciences said the railway would serve to connect China and ASEAN more closely was key to transforming Laos from a landlocked country to a land-linked country, news portal sina.com.cn reported (in Chinese).

Lao Academy of Social Sciences Associate Dean
Lao Academy of Social Sciences Associate Dean speaks in China

She said that the Sino-Royal Railway is conducive to the exchange of people and investment and the trade in Laos and Chinese goods.

After the commissioning, the railway would contribute to solving many employment problems in Laos and promote the development of the tourism industry and facilitate travel to strengthen exchange and cooperation between China and ASEAN, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, she said.

Lao-China Railway
Laos China Railway Route.

Proposed in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (comprising both the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road on land and at sea.

To follow the railways’ route, a video has been published which can be viewed on Youtube.

For more specifics on particulars of the project, visit Laotian Times own handy explainer Everything You Need to Know about the Laos-China Railway.