(KPL) UNDP has offered to the Government of the Lao PDR to help with coordination of rescue and relief efforts as well as early recovery activities in Attapeu province, flooded by damage of the hydroelectric dam in southern Laos.

“I wish to express our solidarity with the Government and the people of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic at this difficult hour, and our deep condolences to the affected families who lost their loved ones,” says UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner in his letter to Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner’s letter of support was personally delivered today to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongphane Savanphet by Mr. Balasubramaniam Murali, UNDP Resident Representative a.i.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongphane Savanphet thanked UNDP: “UNDP is a close partner of the Government of the Lao PDR. We are thankful for your support in these difficult times for our nation”.

“UNDP stands ready to provide emergency support and engage in early recovery and long-term development to support the efforts of the Government of the Lao PDR in dealing with this tragedy, together with other members of the UN Family. Our priority attention is on Attapeu province, but we must not forget that there are ten other provinces affected by flood and we will be supporting them as well”, says Mr. Balasubramaniam Murali, UNDP Resident Representative a.i.

UNDP is allocating USD 100,000 as initial funding to provide emergency support to the Government of the Lao PDR initially to coordinate relief and rescue before early recovery activities can begin.

According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of the Lao PDR, the disaster was triggered by heavy rains across the region brought by Tropical Storm Son-Tinh. The storm affected an estimated 16,256 people in 11 provinces across the country.

The floods were particularly severe in 13 villages in Sanamxay district, which affected an estimated 6,351 people.

The floods destroyed thousands of homes, agricultural land and infrastructure, causing a number of casualties and leaving some people missing while many others are stranded.

UNDP in the Lao PDR is the lead agency of the Early Recovery Cluster and stands ready to undertake Post-Disaster Needs Assessment as well as leading the recovery processes related to restoration of livelihoods, at the appropriate time, according to Mr. Balasubramaniam Murali.

KPL