A damaged bridge in Luang Namtha province after the river flooded. - VT
VIENTIANE: The Prime Minister has given orders for the urgent restoration of flood-affected areas in Luang Namtha and other parts of the country in the wake of the devastating effects of storm Yagi.
Dr Sonexay Siphandone called on the Central Disaster Management Committee to get to grips with the situation through efficient coordination of local agencies and to help stricken communities recover from the damage as soon as possible.
He urged the committee to take steps to mitigate the effects of future flooding, monitor people’s health as they deal with unclean conditions and do whatever possible to alleviate their poverty, and to urgently repair environmental and infrastructure damage.
The Prime Minister advised the Committee to work with local authorities to allocate funding for flood recovery efforts, taking the particular circumstances of each locality into account.
In addition, the premier instructed the committee to provide as much emergency assistance as necessary, including relief supplies such as rice, drinking water, water for washing, and medical supplies, while also ensuring the adequacy of public security.
In the meantime, provincial authorities are mobilising all sectors of society to assist with and support the flood recovery effort, including national defence, public security and other officials, people from all walks of life, and businesses to help clean people’s houses, schools, hospitals and other health facilities, and repair roads and other infrastructure so they can be restored to full use.
The committee and local authorities are requesting and receiving cash and in-kind donations from the government and private sectors, the general public, international organisations, and neighbouring countries.
The Information, Culture and Tourism Ministry has instructed reporters to keep track of developments and publicise them, as well as encourage people to follow weather forecasts so that everyone is prepared for extreme weather, as well as suppressing fake news in relation to natural disasters.
The Central Disaster Management Committee has requested assistance from ministries in dealing with the effects of flooding, assessing the damage caused, and formulating plans for recovery in both the short and long term.
The Agriculture and Forestry Ministry is working to repair infrastructure and equipment and restore damaged farmland and fishponds. It aims to help farmers replant crops and ensure that livestock is cared for and treated for disease, so that agricultural production can return to normal in the dry season.
The ministry will also inspect irrigation systems and arrange for these to be repaired where necessary.
The Public Works and Transport Ministry is inspecting the damage done to roads, bridges, airports, and water supplies and will arrange for repairs to be carried out.
The Energy and Mines Ministry has advised Electricite du Laos and hydropower operators to ensure that electricity supplies are returned to normal as soon as possible, and to ensure that dams are operating correctly so that downstream communities are not adversely affected.
The Technology and Telecommunications Ministry is assessing the damage done to telecommunication systems and other infrastructure, and organising repairs so that communication systems are fully restored.
The Education and Sports Ministry is working to ensure that flood-damaged schools are able to reopen as soon as possible and making arrangements for teaching to continue in alternative locations in the meantime.
The Health Ministry is monitoring for the possible spread of waterborne diseases and is helping hospitals to resume full services and be alert to the outbreak of disease.
Other ministries and provincial authorities are also working to ensure that all people affected by the devastating floods are able to return to their usual activities and that all facilities are soon able to function normally. - Vientiane Times/ANN
