VIENTIANE, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Disaster risk reduction has been integrated into Lao's socio-economic development plans and supported by legal frameworks, according to a report of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare on Tuesday.
The government called on state agencies, civil society, development partners, and the public to protect natural resources, comply with disaster-related laws, and prepare for extreme weather events, the report said.
In the coming years, disaster management efforts will focus on strengthening local, district, and provincial capacities to improve skills, information sharing, and early warning systems, it added.
On the occasion of Laos' National Disaster Management Day on Monday, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Phoxay Sayasone highlighted the country's efforts to improve disaster prevention, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery, while also acknowledging challenges such as limited human resources, budget constraints, and a lack of modern technology.
"Laos has suffered frequent and severe flooding in recent years caused by tropical storms, resulting in loss of life, harm to people's livelihoods, damage to infrastructure, and a negative impact on the economy," said Phoxay. ■