Donations sought in aftermath of Ketsana

Vientiane Times, 8 Oct 2009

The victims of tropical storm Ketsana are set to benefit with the
government's secretariat calling on its agencies of various levels to
make and collect donations.

The secretariat's Chief and Minister to the Prime Minister's Office
Cheuang Sombounkhanh signed the notice on October 2.

Ministers, chiefs of government organisations, the Vientiane mayor and
provincial governors will be involved in the efforts.

The government agencies have been urged to collect donations from
organisations and from all social strata including officials,
businesspeople, companies and social organisations.

The donations welcomed include cash, food, drinking water, daily-
living related items, household appliances, cooking equipment and
medicine.

The notice was made with the Prime Minister's supervision on October
1, according to a press statement from the secretariat.

Tropical storm Ketsana cut through central and southern provinces from
September 28-30, mainly Xekong, Attapeu and Saravan.

The storm brought continuous rainfall for many hours causing rivers
and streams to overflow, inundating and occasionally sweeping away
houses as well as schools, hospitals, basic infrastructure, livestock
and crops.

Several deaths and injuries were reported.

The flood triggered huge losses to property, both state and privately
owned. Auditing of the loss is not yet complete, the statement said.

The statement said the donations will help the victims to restore
their lives to normal, as well as rebuilding basic infrastructure.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the Lao Red Cross have
been assigned roles and asked to form committees to receive the
donations.

The Red Cross and the ministry are required to inform the public of
their spending plans and identify places where they can use the
donations in a clear and easily understandable manner, the statement
said.

With concern for the victims paramount, the Party and government in
collaboration with their local agencies have led work to provide
emergency aid under the relevant guidelines.

In Xekong province, aid worth more 1.8 billion kip has been collected
so far, including 1,293 million kip in cash, provincial Deputy
Governor Lieng Khamphoune was reported as saying in local media
reports.

The relief supplies have been provided by various sectors within the
province, from other provinces and the central government.

Almost all of the aid donated has now been distributed to the victims
and the provincial Disaster Prevention Committee is allocating the
remainder.

People who wish to donate can contact the Lao Red Cross on