As rescue operations continue in villages flooded by the collapse on 23 July of the vast Saddle Dam D, part of the Xepien – Xenamnoy hydropower project in south-eastern Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s Attapeu province, IOM has allocated USD 75,000 to kickstart its emergency relief operations in the area.
According to the Lao authorities, 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 water from the flash flooding is now reportedly receding, but weather forecasters warn of more heavy rain. Washed out roads and the destruction of 14 bridges in the area are also making road access to the remote area very difficult, while shallow water in flooded areas is also hampering access by boat.
IOM is working with UN partners and the Lao authorities to identify most urgent needs. According to an initial government assessment, these include food, drinking water, personal hygiene kits, mobile toilets, clothing, tents and housing repair kits. Boats to access the worst-hit areas are also needed.
IOM has deployed technical experts from its regional Asia-Pacific office in Bangkok to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic specializing in displacement management, migration health, camp coordination and camp management, emergency assessment, displacement tracking and logistics support.
The initial USD 75,000 of IOM funding will go towards areas of greatest need identified by the government and UN partners. They will likely include the provision of shelter materials, tarpaulins, and plastic sheets; non-food items including clothing, blankets, buckets, jerry cans, kitchen sets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and tools; and medicines.
“IOM is now putting our global expertise in emergency response at the disposal of the government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic – our newest member state – to help it to cope with the aftermath of this major disaster. But we are also committed to helping these people in the longer term to restart their lives and are reaching out to international donors,” said IOM Lao PDR Head of Office Misato Yuasa.
Original source: IOM
Published on 27 July 2018
