On 4th September 2024, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), in collaboration with the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) and the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), launched the "Strengthening Community-Based Disaster Risk Management in Lao PDR" project in Oudomxay Province. Funded by the World Bank under the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative, the project aims to improve Early Warning Systems (EWS) in flood-prone villages by enhancing local disaster preparedness and response capabilities. Participants of the inception workshop gathered for a group photograph

The inception workshop, held in Muang Xay, Oudomxay, brought together stakeholders from national, provincial, and district government agencies, along with development partners, to launch this initiative. During his opening remarks, Mr. Khonesy Xaiyamone, Deputy Director of the Oudomxay Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment (PONRE), emphasized the significance of the project in strengthening community resilience to disasters in the province, particularly floods.

The key objective of the project is to implement Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) initiatives in two pilot villages—Ban Thin in Muang Xay District and Ban Phonsavath in Houn District—both highly vulnerable to flood hazards. It aims to strengthen the capacity of local Disaster Management Committees to improve the dissemination and communication of risk information. By enhancing EWS, the project endeavors to ensure that warnings are accessible, understandable, and actionable, enabling communities to respond effectively to disasters. Ultimately, it seeks to reduce the impact of disasters on lives, livelihoods, and socio-economic systems. Opening remarks were provided by representatives from the World Bank, DMH and ADPC

Mr. Hans Guttman, Executive Director of ADPC, highlighted the significance of the project: "ADPC is leveraging our technical expertise and insights from the CREWS initiative in Cambodia and previous projects in Laos to support local efforts in strengthening community-based disaster risk management. We aim to build stronger Early Warning Systems and more resilient communities in the target districts. I am confident our combined efforts will significantly contribute to a more resilient Lao PDR and could serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges." Mr. Manivong Viengxay, Deputy Director General of DMH also emphasized the importance of coordination between central and local agencies which is key to addressing the real needs of communities on the ground. Consultations were conducted with village officials to discuss disaster management and early warning considerations in each locale

Following the workshop, field assessments were conducted in Ban Phonsavath on 5th September and Ban Thin on 6th September 2024. The ADPC team, alongside representatives from DMH, DSW, the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), met with local stakeholders, including district authorities and village heads, to understand the roles of district and village disaster management committees and the challenges in implementing effective EWS. These field assessments facilitated valuable exchanges between central and local agencies, focusing on addressing on-the-ground needs. Visits included observations at local early warning and hydromet stations to evaluate their current status and capacity for weather forecasting and risk dissemination. Provincial officials inspected the Early Warning Systems installed in the vicinity of target communities National level officials from DMH, DSW together with representatives from ADPC, the World Bank and UNDRR conducted consultations with relevant provincial and district level agencies

The assessments will guide the development of tailored CBDRM plans for Ban Thin and Ban Phonsavath, incorporating community training, tabletop exercises, and simulation drills to strengthen flood preparedness. Key outputs of the project include rapid risk assessments, training for district and village DMCs, and the creation of village-specific disaster management plans. By building local capacities for disaster preparedness, the project will equip communities to act on early warnings, reducing the impact of disasters. Emphasizing inclusivity, the initiative will involve women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups. It has the potential to serve as a model for other flood-prone regions in Lao PDR, demonstrating the value of community-led disaster preparedness in saving lives and protecting livelihoods.

ADPC is supporting the implementation of activities in Cambodia and Lao PDR under the framework of the CREWS initiative. Supported by the World Bank, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the initiative aims to strengthen early warning systems and risk information by enhancing the capacities of national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHSs) and national disaster risk management organizations (NDMOs).