ADPC with partners held a consultation meeting on strengthening local-level early warning systems for hydro-meteorological hazards under the project Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity in Lao PDR. The meeting took place on 29th April in Vientiane.
Participated by ADPC and representatives from the Department of Disaster Management and Climate Change of Lao PDR along with other ministries, the meeting focused on the enhancement of early warning systems at the local level through improved utilization of disaster risk and climate change information.
The meeting selected Louangphrabang as the pilot site where a gap assessment and social mapping will be carried out under the project funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme. All selected pilot sites are annually affected by severe flooding.
“However, to increase the resilience towards disasters, the capacity of the both of the departments needs to be strengthened, and more advanced technologies needs to be introduced. Although systems do exist in Lao PDR, the effectiveness of those systems needs to be improved considerably and to achieve this, strengthening the capacity the departments is very important,” Mr. Thanthathep added.