Lao PDR: Inter-agency contingency plan 2024
This Inter-Agency Contingency Plan (IACP) acknowledges the lead role of the Government in all aspects of disaster management and the role of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in supporting national emergency preparedness and response structures and capacities. Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) is prone to a number of hazards, in particular storms and flooding that occur frequently and leave in their wake a significant social and economic impact. It supports the Government in ensuring an effective, timely and coordinated response to mitigate the risk and reduce the impact of natural disasters on Lao communities, through a clear response coordination mechanism and strategy, and clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
The Lao PDR is exposed to a range of climatic, hydrological, and geological phenomena that include floods, tropical storms, drought, heatwaves, landslides, disease outbreaks and epidemics, small earthquakes, and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Flooding is the country’s major natural hazard, with the Mekong River as its primary source. Seasonal flooding occurs each year in Lao PDR during the southwest monsoon season, from July to September. Flooding is a significant threat throughout much of Lao PDR. The most significant and prolonged flooding tends to occur in the central and southern provinces, but flash floods caused by tropical storms have also previously affected the northern provinces. The flooding often endangers lives and damages infrastructure, human settlements, and essential services. Rainfall trends indicate that the rainy season is starting earlier than usual, while climate-change induced weather events, such as more frequent and intense typhoons, are increasingly likely to have a greater impact on Lao PDR.
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