Preface

It is my great honor to present this report on “Developing the National Risk Profile of Lao PDR”. This report received overwhelming support from the Government of Lao PDR and was produced in close collaboration with a number of national focal, technical and scientific agencies related to disaster risk reduction. The methodology used for this report was developed following rigorous discussion and consultation with all leading national government and non-governmental agencies. This report was financially supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) based in Lao PDR; technical advice and support was provided by the GRIP unit of BCPR of UNDP, Geneva.

This report highlights the regional experiences intrinsic to the work of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the Public Works and Transport Institute (PTI) in disaster risk assessment and mapping in the region. The project objectives include mapping out all hazard prone areas (based on historic disaster events), identifying and assessing the exposure, vulnerability and risk of people, property, critical facilities, infrastructure and economic activities in those hazards prone areas; and creating preliminary national multi-hazard profiles, in terms of the type of hazard and affected sectors, so as to identify the risk priorities for the national disaster risk reduction strategies.Upon fulfilling the objectives of this report, the project team produced a two-part report. Part one covers an overview of the project, a description of the baseline data, and hazard assessment and mapping for earthquakes, floods, drought, landslides, epidemics and diseases, UXO and storms hazards at the national level. Thus, part one results in the development of a multi-hazard risk map for Lao PDR. Part two of this report discusses the methodology for exposure, vulnerability and risk assessment for various hazards. In addition, part two recommends necessary intervention strategies for disaster risk reduction. The recommendations are segmented into eight sections: policy; institutional mandates and institutional development; hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment; multi-hazard early warning systems; preparedness and response plans; the integration of disaster risk reduction into development planning; community-based disaster risk management; and public awareness, education and training.

I hope that this report will prove to be useful to the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the Government of Lao PDR, the Water Resources and Environment Institute (WERI), the Department of
Meteorology and Hydrology, the Lao National Mekong Committee (LNMC), the National Geographic Department, Department of Planning (DoP), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the Department of Planning, the Ministry of Health and others through its provision of sectorally-based disaster management planning. This report is formatted in a user-friendly manner such that all disciplines are able to apply the information and recommendations provided in this report for the safe and sustainable development of each respective sector. The ultimate goal is for the two volumes within this report to serve as a practical guide for disaster managers, as well as to enable them to use the information provided effectively for the benefit of the millions of people living in disaster prone areas of Lao PDR. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of Lao PDR, UNDP Lao PDR, the national stakeholders involved and the project partners for their partnership, consultation, support and advice.

Bangkok, November 2010

Dr. Bhichit Rattakul
Executive Director, ADPC