Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Training for Lao Red Cross Staff | 27-28 June 2019 | Attapeu, Lao PDR
Lao Red Cross conducted an Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene training for its staff at Attapeu Branch during 27-28 June 2019. The two-day training aimed to equip Lao Red Cross staff in Attapeu branch with knowledge and skills that will enable them to provide safe and clean water, as well as sanitation and hygiene support to affected people during emergencies.
The training was attended by 18 Red Cross branch staff and three participants from local disaster response agency.
Click here to view the training report in Lao language.
First Aid Training for Lao Red Cross Staff | 17-18 June 2019 | Attapeu, Lao PDR
Lao Red Cross conducted a first aid training for its staff at Attapeu Branch during 17-18 June 2019. The two-day training aimed to provide Attapeu staff basic knowledge about how to provide primary care to affected people during emergency. The training cover the first aid techniques including CPR as well as how to treat patients with burns, severe bleeding, broken bones, snake bites, etc.
The training was attended by 22 Red Cross branch staff and three participants from local disaster response agency.
Click here to view the training report in Lao language.
Lao Delegation Visits Viet Nam To Learn About Emergency Fund | 27-30 May 2019 | Hanoi, Viet Nam
From 27-30 May, Lao delegation paid an official visit to Viet Nam to learn and exchange information on sub-legislation and establishing a dedicated disaster management fund decree, and best practices and challenges in its implementation. The delegation was led by Mr. Vilayphong Sisomvang- Acting Director General and Head of Secretariat of National Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control (NCDPC) together with representatives of Prime Minister Office, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and Lao Red Cross.
On 28 May in Hanoi, the Lao delegation was received by Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC); Ministry of Labour and Invalid and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA). In the morning, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Viet Nam Red Cross and was received by Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh- Viet Nam Red Cross’s Vice President and Secretary General who has expressed his recognition of long-term and neighbouring bilateral relationships between the two countries and two Red Cross National Societies and he also emphasized that Viet Nam Red Cross will continue to accompany and provide support to Lao Red Cross in various areas such as Red Cross Law development and implementation; community based initiatives; livelihoods opportunities for vulnerable people so on so forth. On this occasion, VNRC shared its experience in establishment and management of its emergency fund as well as its disaster preparedness and response capacity.
In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Nguyen Duc Quang, Director of Disaster Response Department of Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and his team. At the meeting, Mr. Quang enthusiastically shared with the delegation of step by step process in establishing the Disaster Prevention and Control Fund aftermath the Disaster Prevention and Control Law in 2014 and guided by Decree 64/TTg on Disaster Prevention and Control Fund. According to Mr. Quang, majority of provinces in Viet Nam have already had the fund established and but the use of the fund has its limitation due to lack of guidance and mechanism in place. Mr. Quang also mentioned that the revision of the Disaster Prevention and Control Law and several Decrees are under the process. The afternoon session went very well with a lot of technical questions and discussions.
The next day 29 May, the delegation visits Hai Phong city, it is one of the most successful provinces in the country in establishing and managing the fund since the availability of Decree 64/TTg. At the reception, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chuyen- Vice chairman of the provincial people committee briefed the delegation of some remarkable tiers of friendship between the city and two other provinces of Laos such as Vientiane province and Oudomxay as well as the city economic development in the past years. After the reception, both sides had two intensive session to deeply discuss on the disaster prevention and control fund.
Lao Red Cross Conducts Protection, Gender and Inclusion Training | 29 March 2019 | Vientiane, Lao PDR
Lao Red Cross (LRC) conducted a training on Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) for its staff at the headquarters on 29 March 2019. The objective of the training includes disseminating information about PGI ad violence against women to LRC staff, and sharing and discussing the ways forward to integrating PGI to all sectors of LRC operation.
The training was participated by 20 representatives from various departments of LRC (disaster management, health, etc) and from the National Commission for the Advancement of Women (NCAW).
Lao Red Cross Conducts Needs Assessment for Recovery Phase of Attapeu Emergency Operation | 15-25 March 2019 | Attapeu, Lao PDR
A primary assessment was done by the Lao Red Cross team for 1,936 households in 12 villages (Khokkong, Thaouan, Donmuang, Donbok, Pindong, Tamoryord, Hinlath, Hadoudomsay, Sompoy, Hadyao, Tangao and Hinsombat) under Samamsay district. The assessment narrowed down the number of target beneficiaries for shelter repairment which are 321 households from 10 villages (Thaouan, Donmuang, Donbok, Pindong, Tamoryord, hadoudomsay, Sompoy, Hadyao, Tangao and Hinsombat ).
In addition, the assessment also identified 384 households which will need either latrine construction (217 households) or latrine repair (167 households). TCurrently, the assessment team is summarising the data to determine the livelihoods support needed. The data validation process is also ongoing to select the final list of beneficiaries.
Download the full assessment report here to see the steps taken during the assessment and the specific needs of the 12 villages.
Lao Red Cross Reviews Effectiveness of Attapeu Flash Floods Emergency Response Operation | 14 March 2019 | Attapeu, Lao PDR
Lao Red Cross (LRC) has conducted an internal lesson learned workshop during a planning meeting in Attapeu on 14 March 2019.
Participants: 17 persons, from headquarters and Attapeu Chapter including the leads from the Disaster Management, Health, International Relations, Finance, and Administrations departments.
Objective: To discuss what went well, challenges and recommendations consolidated from the beginning of the operation until the end of the emergency phase.
Outcome: The workshop allowed participants to discuss and review about the operation. The participants were divided into two groups, each had representatives from both headquarters and chapter.
Group 1’s discussion:
What went well:
* LRC HQ established a flood response committee
* Good support from partners
* Strong Communication with different sectors
* Received Fund and budget from society and others
Challenges:
* No previous experience to face such kind of disaster (this is the first-time floods happened due to dam collapse in Laos)
* Poor road condition and difficult to access.
* Not enough vehicles and rescue equipment
* Unclear communication between HQ and Provincial level
* Lack of skilled and experienced HR
* There are some gaps on the operation
Recommendations:
* Should have a clear plan and strategy to implement activities.
* Build capacity to all staffs who focus on emergency response.
* Support operation equipment
* Build a strong relationship with partners and other stakeholders
* Support allowance to staffs and volunteers who work so hard for the operation.
Group 2’s discussion:
What went well:
* All staffs have responsibilities on their own work
* There is some discussion and planning among the team
* Good communication with other partners
* There is teamwork within the organization
* Received relief items and equipment
* Good support from partners (IFRC, German Red Cross, Swiss Red Cross, Thai Red Cross Society, etc)
Challenges:
* Road condition is poor and difficult to access.
* Most of the staff has no experiences in emergency response
* There was no emergency plan of action (Fund, People, equipment…)
* Uncleared communication system
* Shortage of rescue equipment and vehicle
* Lack of preparation for flood response
Recommendations:
* Emergency response plan needs to exist
* Trained volunteer should be in place in each area/chapter so that they can respond immediately
* LRC should create a volunteer system under Red Cross chapter
* Should have enough rescue equipment and vehicles
* Capacity building for staff and volunteers about Disaster Management/ Disaster Risk Reduction/Disaster Response Management
