An MOU on the ‘Okard: Capacity Strengthening on Rehabilitation Project’ is signed between World Education Country Director Rebecca Derry and the Director General of the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Dr Khamsay Detleuxay. - Photo: Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: In a significant step toward enhancing the well-being and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Laos, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) intends to provide up to US$15 million for Phase II of the Okard Project.
The second phase of the project builds on the success from Phase I, implemented from 2017 to 2023, according to a press release from USAID.
Okard Phase II (2024 to 2027) aims to promote the independence and functional ability of persons with disabilities through equal access to health and social services in Laos.
USAID’s total contribution to the Okard Project over 10 years is expected to be US$30 million.
The initiative was formalised with the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between World Education (WE) and the Lao government.
The first MOU, ‘Okard: Capacity Strengthening on Disability Inclusive Development Project’, was signed between WE and the Department of Policy for Devotees, Persons with Disabilities, and Older Persons (Secretariat of the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare on June 17.
The other MOU, ‘Okard: Capacity Strengthening on Rehabilitation Project’, was signed on Wednesday (July 17) between WE and the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Health.
The signing ceremonies were witnessed by Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Leepao Yang, US Ambassador to the Lao PDR Heather Variava, and USAID’s Acting Office Director of Health and Governance David Sintasath.
Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Leepao thanked the additional contribution for the Okard Project supported by USAID.
“In order to strengthen the participatory development of people with disabilities, the government has made great efforts and given importance to social policy, specifically the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, action plans related to the promotion of people’s rights, and creating facilities for people with disabilities according to the socio-economic development conditions of each locality,” Deputy Minister Leepao said.
“The signing of the MOU at this time is a good opportunity for all persons in the target provinces and districts to receive treatment and rehabilitation services, enabling them to live independently and happily in society.”
“This initiative moves towards the satisfaction of those who come to receive services and achieves the standard of ‘5 goods, 1 satisfied’.
"On behalf of the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation, I would like to express my gratitude to USAID for supporting the budget through World Education Laos to make this project possible,” the department’s Director General Dr Khamsay Detleuxay said.
Sintasath noted the expanding partnership between the United States and Laos under the US Lao PDR Comprehensive Partnership.
“This agreement marks an important milestone in our countries’ partnership to enhance the independence, ability and functionality of persons with disabilities through equal access to rights and social services in Laos,” he said.
“The United States is committed to supporting the Lao government to help persons with disabilities live full and productive lives.”
The Okard Project, under the two MOUs, will implement activities under four components - health, economic empowerment, stakeholder engagement, and community-based inclusive development, and continue its vital role in promoting disability-inclusive development and strengthening the rehabilitation system across Vientiane and the provinces of Xieng Khuang, Savannakhet and Xekong.
This will be achieved through close collaboration with the government, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, and development partners. - Vientiane Times/ANN
