 |
|
|
|
 |
| USAID Information:
External Links:
|
|
|
|
|
Laos
EXAMPLES OF OUR IMPACT
- USAID's assistance contributed to a decline in HIV/AIDS prevalence by 50 percent in the last five years.
- USAID is strengthening the Disabled People's Organization, which advocates for inclusive employment and economic opportunities for disabled people.
- USAID is helping Laos prepare for potential pandemic threats by strengthening response capabilities.
USAID/ASIA SITE
www.usaid.gov/rdma
CONTACTS
Communications Officer
Mai Huang
Athenee Tower, 25th Floor
63 Wireless Road
Lumpini, Patumwan
Bangkok 10330 Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 257-3000
Fax: (66-2) 257-3099
Email: mhuang@usaid.gov
Desk Officer
Jose Garzon
Washington, DC
Tel: (202) 712-5647
E-mail: jgarzon@usaid.gov
A health worker disinfects a motorcycle at a checkpoint during an avian influenza simulation exercise in Savanaket. The USAID-funded exercise is one of several held in Laos to prepare health workers for outbreaks and educate local residents about the procedures needed to contain the disease. (Photo: USAID)
Overview
United States bilateral assistance to Laos averages approximately $2 million annually, the largest part of which is devoted to improving health. However, Laos’ location—bordering China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand—its membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and its position on the Mekong River give it a regional importance that is reflected in the greater size and scope of USAID's regional programming in the country.
Programs
Investing in People: Health
As part of its regional health program, USAID supports activities in Laos to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, dengue fever, and of pandemic threats like avian influenza. Due in part to this assistance, HIV/AIDS prevalence has declined by 50 percent in the past five years, and avian influenza has been contained in both animals and humans. USAID also supports drug quality monitoring and management and works to strengthen laboratory testing methods to identify counterfeit or sub-quality drugs.
USAID seeks to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS, and to mitigate the impact of the disease on at-risk and infected people and their families while strengthening the Laotian government's HIV/AIDS program capabilities. A USAID-developed HIV/AIDS comprehensive prevention package is currently being used in six provinces.
Building on its successful support for the national avian influenza program, USAID's Control of Infectious Diseases program strengthens Laos' technical ability to predict and identify new pathogens emerging from wild animal populations. It also builds Laos' ability to respond to and prevent pandemic spread and fosters close collaboration between the agencies responsible for both human and animal health.
Investing in People: Social Services and Protection for Vulnerable Populations
USAID works with the Lao Disabled People Association (LDPA), the local disabled people’s organization, to build its capability and to increase employment and economic opportunities for hundreds of people with disabilities, as well as to advocate for their right to work.
Economic Growth: Trade Reform
USAID is helping improve economic policy in Laos and promote the country's efforts to transition to open and free markets. USAID provides technical assistance in drafting a broad range of key laws and regulations while providing analysis based on international best practices in trade agreements. In addition, USAID supports workshops to raise awareness among the public about commitments by Laos to comply with international obligations while encouraging the participation of seven key Lao government ministries, and the private sector, through the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. USAID assistance helps Laos make these reforms with a view to gaining membership into the World Trade Organization, implementing the Lao PDR (People's Democratic Republic)–U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement, and collaborating on the development of an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.
Economic Growth: Environment
USAID works with the Government of Laos, in collaboration with other countries in the region, to promote responsible timber trade and the sustainable management of forest resources. USAID programs promote biodiversity conservation and combat illegal wildlife trafficking. They also work to expand access to safe water and sanitation in rural areas.
In southern Laos, USAID is helping to launch a factory that manufactures ceramic pot filters, which are effective and inexpensive household water purification systems. USAID also assists health authorities to promote household water treatment and safe storage practices as effective, low-cost strategies to reduce waterborne diseases. Water treatment filters have helped more than 42,000 people to date.
Back to Top ^
|
