Evacuation centres housing people forced to flee following last month’s devastating dam collapse have been cut off by more flooding.

Recent monsoon rains have caused a crucial bridge to collapse, leaving more than 3,700 people stranded in harsh conditions at existing camps in Sanamxay. Lao Red Cross volunteers are also stranded in the area.

Emergency supplies were being regularly brought in to the four camps, which are a coordination hub for the humanitarian response. But the latest flooding has caused more destruction and left families isolated in camps without enough supplies, sanitation and support – making a difficult situation even tougher for evacuees. The area is also where helicopters were able to stock up with aid and fly to remote villages inaccessible by road.

On 23 July, the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam in south-eastern Laos failed, sending 5 billion cubic metres of water down a tributary of the Mekong River. At least 35 people were killed and 100 are missing. More than 13,000 people have been affected across 13 villages in the area.