Overview
The political and security situation in Lao has remained stable, but the disparity between rich and poor has continued to grow.
Against this backdrop, Concern Worldwide is focusing on issues of health and livelihoods. We have also developed a programme to help strengthen local communities and have developed a stand-alone HIV and AIDS project.
Available healthcare
Thirty villages benefitted from our mobile health services. Immunisations, baby growth monitoring and pharmacy services were provided to people who would usually have little access to them.
Greater dialogue
Concern was also instrumental in establishing a microfinance working group with 11 key operators and partners. This played a role in increasing dialogue with the government, while also providing training and information on best practices.
Dealing with shortages
In response to an acute food shortage in one of the areas where we work, Concern distributed 154 tonnes of rice to 1,896 people in six villages. We also established community-managed rice banks to help prepare for next year’s harvest.
More achievements in Lao:
- 29,598 people benefited from our livelihoods programme
- 36,809 people benefited from health projects
- We provided financial and technical support to a national HIV and AIDS awareness network
