UN-ESCAP Workshop on ICT for Promoting Inclusive and

Disaster Resilient Development, 14-15 May 2015,

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

________________________________________________

Promoting Inclusive and Disaster Resilient

development – Lao Experience

by

Silap BOUPHA, Ph.D.

Director,

ASEAN SCOSA – National Focal Point

Ministry of Science and Technology

E-mail: silapboupha@yahoo.com

Mobile: (856-20) 55418037

OUTLINE

Lao Scenario

Geographical Location

Major Hazards

Inter Agency Contingency Plan

Operating Center for Disaster Management

Challenge

Future Direction

Lao Scenario

Lao is one of the disaster prone country in the region.

The country has had a long experience of severe

typhoons/cyclone events, floods, landslides, forest fires,

intrusion, droughts, under the threat of earthquake and

man-made hazards with specific degree of severity.

The country is also vulnerable to Climate Change which a

for livelihood and food security. Climate Change may also

intensify the severity and frequency of flood and drought.

Lao has expressed its commitment to attach a great

attention in the risk disaster reduction framework.

Lao is implementing several programs to shift the whole

paradigm of disaster management from a response and

recovery culture to a risk reduction culture.

Geographical Location

Geographical location of the country is making it

vulnerable to natural disasters.

Lao is one of the countries frequently affected by

river floods and drought. Most flooding occurs during

May to September when Monsoon rains accumulate in

the upper Mekong river basin. In addition to river basin

flooding, flashfloods in the northern mountainous region

are also common. It is estimated that the south and

central regions, where about two thirds of the country’s

population live, face on an average of 1.5 serious

floods or droughts every year.

Series of storm events during the summer-monsoon

season of 2013 and 2014

Statistic on Major Hazards

Flood [Blue] & Drought [Red] frequency 1 – 3 times 4 – 6 times 7 – 9 times

Natural Disasters Events

Forest Fires Floods Unexploded Ordnance

Droughts Typhoons / Cyclones Earthquakes

Floods Occurred In 2014

Floods Occurred In 2014

Prime Ministerial Decree no. 220/PM, dated 28 August 2013 on National Disaster Management Committee (replacing the PMD no. 158/PM, dated 23 August 1999): Chaired by Deputy Prime

Minister, Minister of National Defense;

NDMC is relocated under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

The Provincial, District and Village Branches are being strengthened.

National Disaster Management Committee

Legal Content

The Government pays a great attention to the issue of

disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response

capacities at all levels. It has committed itself to the

Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015. It is also a

signatory to the ASEAN Agreement for Disaster

Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) and

a signatory of the Delhi Declaration of 2007.

Being a signatory of Hyogo Framework for Action

(2005-2015), DRR and climate change risk issues have

to be mainstreamed in all development sectors of the

government. This is indicated in the decree no. 158/PM

on the establishment of the National Disaster

Management Committee and formation of the NDMC,

2010

Government

Agency

IASC - Inter Agency Contingency Plan

Inter-Agency Standing Committee

Humanitarian

Country Team

Strategic Decisions and Guidance flows downwards to inform detailed Technical Operational Planning

Information and Technical/Operational Recommendation flow upwards to inform Strategic Decision-making

Inter-Cluster Coordination Group

Emergency Task Force

IMN ECT PFP Clusters

IACP Structure

Cluster Cluster Lead Agency Government Linkage

Health WHO Ministry of Health

WASH UNICEF Ministry of Health

Food Security FAO and

WFP Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare

Nutrition UNICEF Ministry of Health

Education UNICEF and

Save the Children Ministry of Education

Shelter UN-HABITAT/IFRC Ministry of Public Works and Transport

Protection UNICEF and

Save the Children Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare

Early Recovery UNDP Ministry of Planning and Investment

Logistics WFP Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare

Information, Communications

and Technology (ICT) WFP Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and

Communications

Cluster Lead Agencies and Government Linkages

ICT Monitoring System Tools

Disaster Response and Monitoring

System through ICT means (3G/4G).

Country has a plan to develop a

broadband connectivity.

Standby arrangement. Database is

linked to NDMC and is accessible to

all.

WebOC Joint Emergency

Coordination (Web EOC, SASOP)

ASEAN Information Network

Note: OC granted by JAIF comprised of 7-

TV Monitor (74 inch), 6-Desktops, 7-UPS, 1-

TV Satellite, 1-Server, 2-GIS Software and

1-electrical generator.

A Strategic Plan on Disaster Risk Management (SPDRM)

SPDRM adopted in 2003 and there was considerable

presence of donors willing to support Lao PDR in the

field of DRM. SPDRM was aiming at:

Securing national communities, society, and economic

status by reducing risks from natural and man-made

hazards;

Emphasizing on pre-disaster prevention, mitigation and

preparedness through adoption of innovative

technology, while enhance respond and recovery

capacity;

Shifting from formal institutionalization to people-centered

and community-based capacity building and institutional

strengthening;

Promoting the Community Awareness on Risks and

Disasters Management through the Educational

Curriculum

Promoting natural resources and environment

conservation as buffers for disaster risks.

Future Direction

To take a holistic approach towards disaster

management where emphasis has been given to

working together with all stakeholders (Government

Agency, other key NGOs, Academic and Technical

Institutions, Private Sectors, Donors, etc) to build

strategic and scientific implementation of development

plans.

To ensure that risk reduction and comprehensive

disaster management is a focus of national policy and

programs.

To empower general societies and grass-root

communities to be prepared, alert and have sufficient

level of resilience;

To qualify and enlarge public capacity building and

awareness, including especially by

Future Direction (Cont’d)

strengthening national and local institution and

manpower development in an integrated manner;

To upgrade and share functionalizing of data,

information and warning systems through access to

basic ICT services;

To enhance and promote regional and international

cooperation on DRR/DRM.

Thank you for your kind attention!