Lao PDR ranked as 42nd most vulnerable country to climate change

This is due to the country’s proneness to climate-related hazards.

Lao PDR has been ranked as the 42^nd most vulnerable country to climate change. This is due to the country's proneness to climate-related hazards. Lao PDR's susceptibility to natural disasters was manifested again last week with flooding in Phongsaly province. Several districts suffered from the loss of crops, breaking of irrigation canals and flooding of homes.

This week, the UN System in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare is rolling out training in Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) as part of the capacity building to strengthen resilience to climate impacts and disasters.

The PDNA is a tool that was established by the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank to assess damage and losses after major disasters, and most importantly, to ensure responsible recovery efforts.

This training is conducted this week is part of a global initiative for PDNA roll-out. Training has been ongoing in the Asia and Pacific region in countries such as Cambodia, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. Globally over 20 training sessions with over 1500 people have been conducted over a 4-year period.

In his opening remarks on behalf of UN, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr. Balusubramaniam Murali, stressed the importance of building resilience to disasters in support of furthering Lao PDR's economic growth and graduation from LDC status.

Mr. Koen Everaert from the European Union and Mr. Vongkham Phanthanouvong from Ministry of Social and Welfare encouraged participants to participate actively and share their thoughts on the benefits of the training to Lao PDR. In addition to several government ministries from the central level, representatives from Bolikhamxay and Saravane province are also participating and learning how to conduct a PDNA as well as build a comprehensive risk reduction culture and strengthen their disaster management capabilities.