community-based disaster risk management and the media media kit

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MEDIA KIT
fl oods have occurred over the past 35 years. The area most affected
(central and southern regions) accounts for the zone of greatest
economic activity in the country, where 63% of the country’s population
live. Typhoons that enter the country from Vietnam can compound the
rainfall pattern and cause additional fl ooding. An issue of concern for
the future is the siltation in the lower Mekong River basin.
Drought affects about 20% of the country’s population, adversely
affecting agricultural production. The areas most prone to drought
are the western provinces and some of the higher elevations of the
southern provinces.
Other potentially disastrous events include landslides, fi re (both urban
and forest fi re), agricultural pests and epidemics. An analysis of
disaster impacts on urbanizing areas show that fi res cause the greatest
loss of life and property. Dense building concentrations, narrow roads,
fl ammable building materials, aging water supply and electrical system,
as well as the lack of resources to upgrade preparedness and response
skills have resulted in a growing risk of large scale, multiple structure
fi res.
Vulnerability
Majority of the country’s population do not have the capacity to cope
with disasters due to poverty. Most inhabit the fl oodplains, making them
vulnerable to the annual fl ooding. Its high population growth rate puts
additional strain on environmental conditions. Diffi culties in access and
communication are a major constraint in the country’s development
and in the response to disasters particularly. Only a limited part of the
country can be reached by “all weather” roads, and large parts become
inaccessible in times of disaster.
Recent Impacts
Floods in 2000 brought loss to more than 42,000 hectares of agriculture
crops and damaged more than 200 irrigation units, and loss of 15 lives.
Parallel to these, many regions faced severe drought which caused
shortage of drinking water, water for consumption and for agriculture
and animal raising.
Flash fl oods and landslides occurred in Houaphanh, Luang Prabang
and Vientiane provinces which were never seen before in the country.