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Laos
Laos
SNAPSHOT
Year of independence: 1949
Capital: Vientiane
Population: 5.924 million (2006)
Source:World development Indicators
CONTACT INFORMATION
Phakatip Chungbhivat
General Development Office
GPF Towers, Tower A
93/1 Wireless Road
Bangkok, 10330 Thailand
Office: 662-263-7467
fax: 662-263-7499
email: pchungbhivat@usaid.gov
Desk Officer
Cheryl Jennings
Tel: (202) 712-4705
Email: cjennings@usaid.gov
USAID supports production of functional rehabilitation and adaptive equipment for people with disabilities. (Photo: P. Chungbhivat, USAID)Overview
Laos is an authoritarian, communist, one-party state. Although its government has stated its intention to encourage private enterprise, the transition from a centrally-planned and controlled economy to a more market-driven one is moving slowly. Economic growth remains hampered by inadequate infrastructure and a lack of human capacity. Furthermore, the government does not have the ability, particularly in the health and education services among many others, to adequately support its population. The government recognizes that it needs considerable technical assistance, training and investment in order to modernize its economy and address critical health, education and employment issues.
PROGRAMS
Peace and Security: Alternative Livelihoods
USAID enhances the economic livelihoods of poor rural farmers in villages in northern Laos by providing technical assistance to develop silk production as a viable economic alternative to opium production. The program promotes formation of village clusters, where producers and buyers can benefit from further reductions in marketing costs while raising the quality of silk yarn and textiles. It also introduces microfinance through savings and lending groups.
Peace and Security: Removing Unexploded Ordnance
USAID provides assistance to improve the quality of emergency, orthopedic, rehabilitation, surgical and medical management services for victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) remaining from the Indochina conflict. The program also promotes risk reduction of future accidents through outreach and education about the dangers of UXO for children and communities. USAID also seeks to improve the quality of life of people living with disabilities from UXO by working toward the development of effective and sustainable national policies.
Investing In People: Supporting War Victims And People With Disabilities
USAID develops community resources for people with disabilities by addressing their rehabilitative requirements at the district and community level, and their social and economic needs. USAID does so by promoting income generation activities, advocacy, awareness, educational and vocational opportunities, and integration into community life for people with disabilities.
Investing In People: Educating Children With Disabilities
USAID aims to strengthen inclusive education in Laos at both the policy and classroom levels to ensure that children with disabilities are able to attend and achieve in school. Working with teachers and administrators in primary and preschools, the program assists the development of inclusive education resources and local expertise, strengthens community networks to support inclusive education, and promotes advocacy to increase social awareness with respect to disabilities.
Investing In People: Health
USAID undertakes activities in Laos to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis, malaria and dengue fever as part of its regional health program. USAID seeks to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on those who have been affected by it and their families. The Regional Avian Influenza program strives to contain the H5N1 virus within the animal population by 2008. Its cross-border programs are designed to assist coordinated responses to pandemic influenza.
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