Humanitarian Response

Lao PDR is vulnerable to windstorms, landslides, floods and droughts, which cause widespread agriculture losses. 

In the coming decades, it is projected that climate change will lead to more frequent and intense hydro-meteorological and climate extreme events. There will be more intense rainfall events, and more frequent and severe droughts and floods and more extreme wet and dry seasons. Annual mean temperatures will continue to rise by 0.1-0.3°C per decade, and the number of days with temperatures above 33°C will increase, while the number of cooler days with temperatures below 15°C will drop by two to three weeks per year.

Save the Children is the leading humanitarian response agency for children in Lao PDR and provides provinces with technical expertise when responding to the needs of affected children.  Save the Children is committed to reducing children’s vulnerability to disasters, ensuring their right to survival and development and providing the support children and their families need to quickly recover and re-establish their lives, dignity and livelihoods.

• Flood and Landslides in Viengkham District, Luang Prabang Province

On July 24 2024, heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Luang Prabang Province, devastating 12 villages in Viengkham district. Roads were destroyed, cutting off access, while homes, schools, and farmlands were submerged, leaving communities in fear of food shortages. Chan, a young boy, recalled, “I only managed to grab my puppy as we evacuated. When we looked back, the water had nearly reached the roof. Then, suddenly, our house disappeared.” Similarly, Ms. Pok, a mother of five, shared her grief, saying, “It’s incredibly sad to see our only home vanish in the blink of an eye.” With the support from the Humanitarian Fund and Start Fund, affected families received food, water filters, hygiene kits, agricultural tools, and cash assistance. Ms. Pok expressed her gratitude, noting how the aid allowed her to rebuild, buy chickens, and plan for future sustainability. Overall, the support reached 2,002 people, including 500 children, helping them take critical steps toward recovery and resilience.

• Flood in Luang Namtha District, Luang Namtha Province

Humanitarian efforts continued as Typhoon Yagi struck Luang Namtha Province from September 9–11, bringing torrential rain and flash floods that displaced nearly 19,000 people across 37 villages. Entire families lost their homes, crops, and livestock, with access to some areas only possible by boat. Save the Children, supported by the Humanitarian Fund and the EiE funder, reached 5,464 people, including 1,517 children, providing food, school uniforms, and WASH kits. Ms. Chan, a flood survivor, expressed her relief, saying, “The food will help my children return to school without hunger, and the dignity kits are invaluable for my adolescent daughter to continue attending school.” Moving forward, Save the Children aims to strengthen its position as a leading humanitarian agency in Laos by enhancing rapid response capabilities, delivering life-saving aid, and implementing climate adaptation strategies. These efforts will not only address immediate needs but also build resilience in vulnerable communities against the growing challenges of climate change.