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Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Floods MDRLA003 DREF Final Report

Countries
Lao PDR
Sources
IFRC
Publication date
Origin
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Appeal history:

  • A DREF Operation was initially launched on 3 October 2013 for CHF 292,168 to support Lao Red Cross (LRC) in delivering immediate assistance to 10,000 beneficiaries (2,000 families) for six months and to further assess needs.

  • Operations Update 1 (dated 6 November 2013) reported on initial steps to procure in-country relief goods and plans for Thai Red Cross to provide in-kind support in terms of staff to be deployed to LRC.

  • Operations Update 2 (dated 7 February 2014) noted that significant progress had been made in completing the major objectives of the operation well-ahead of schedule.

Summary: CHF 292,168 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support Lao Red Cross (LRC) in delivering immediate assistance to 10,000 beneficiaries (2,000 families). The DREF operation managed to reach 16,318 beneficiaries (3,065 families), more beneficiaries than initially planned. All activities have been implemented in close collaboration with district authorities and community leaders. LRC identified more beneficiaries for food and non-food distribution. This was due to the rapidly changing situation on the ground during the detailed assessment process which went beyond the initial projections in the DREF request.

Due to LRC’s transparent procurement process, competition among vendors submitting their proposals was promoted and actual costs ended up being less than the estimated budget for the DREF operation. This enabled this DREF operation to address more beneficiaries than initially planned. LRC distributed 244,770 kg of rice to 16,318 beneficiaries (3,065 families) in 33 villages of two provinces of Salavan and Champasak.

LRC carried out health and hygiene promotion activities together with the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 20 villages in Champasak and Salavan in an effort to prevent the occurrence and increase of water- and mosquito-borne diseases after the floods. More than 10,000 people, the majority of whom were women, were reached through the conduct of health/hygiene awareness sessions and the distribution of leaflets and posters highlighting prevention messages.

A total of 16,318 beneficiaries (3,065 families) also received basic hygiene items like soap bar, detergent powder and mosquito nets; this is higher than the initial target of 10,000 people (2,000 families).

This DREF operation was key in enabling LRC to provide immediate assistance to the two most affected provinces of Salavan and Champasak. This operation was originally expected to be implemented over six months. However, LRC managed to complete relief distribution by the end of December 2013 (i.e., within the first three months of the operation). Following which a series of health/hygiene promotion activities were held in the first quarter of 2014. A lessons learnt workshop was organised during the last week of February 2014.

IFRC’s South East Regional Delegation (SEARD) supported efforts to link LRC with Partner National Societies (PNSs) in the country in order to extend assistance to the communities. French Red Cross extended its significant support during needs assessment and beneficiary selection process.

Despite the fact that the DREF operation was successful, there is still a need to further strengthen LRC’s response preparedness capacity at various levels. A flood response plan and contingency plan should be developed and well disseminated among LRC’s branches. More attention should be given to the development of community response teams and refresher training provided for the national disaster response team (NDRT) to carry out needs assessment and beneficiary selection. More emphasis should also be placed on disaster risk reduction and preparedness in order to reduce local vulnerability and optimise future use of resources for response activities.

The DREF operation has made significant impact on LRC’s visibility and reputation among the flood-affected population and stakeholders, including the government agencies. To speed up the distribution and hygiene and health education campaigns, LRC used up to ten community volunteers and LRC branch staff at each distribution point for both distribution and monitoring. This involved a total of 200 volunteers.

All activities were successfully executed and this is the final report in terms of narrative and financials. The operation is now closed. Of the CHF 292,168 allocated from DREF, there is a final unspent balance of CHF 11,575 which will be returned to DREF.

IFRC, on behalf of Lao Red Cross, would like to thank all partners for their generous contribution to the DREF in general and this operation in particular, which continues to be an important resource in initiating first response in disaster.