(KPL) In Laos, like elsewhere in the world, there are indications of higher tendencies towards domestic violence at this time.

When my son was a little boy and we lived close to the airport in Wuhan, China, he ran out of the house whenever he heard an airplane engine. He would look up to the sky and excitedly shout in Chinese: “The plane is coming, the plane is coming!”

(KPL) The collective efforts of the government, civil society and development partners to the reproductive health and rights movements have put deliberate attempt on sexual and reproductive health rights to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and maternal deaths, and resulted in healthier, more productive lives for millions of women and adolescent girls.

(KPL) The National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has urged the public to adapt to new normal in order to prevent possible second wave of Covid-19. Dr. Latsamy Vongkhamsao, Deputy Director, Department of Communicable Disease Control, Ministry of Health told a press conference today that by adjusting to new normal the public should avoid leaving home for unnecessary reasons, wear masks when going out or visiting risky places, avoid using public transport, observe frequent hand washing with gels or soaps.

(KPL) The Champassak Provincial Department of Education and Sports has confirmed COVID-19 preventive measures will remain in place after the resumption of teaching and learning at schools across the province. “Following the nationwide reopening of schools on June 2, our province has attached importance to complying with the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Sports to ensure the safety of children and teachers,” Mr Bounchan Boudsaodon, Deputy Director, Champassak Provincial Department of Education and Sports said on Jul 7.

(KPL) The Champassak Provincial Health Department has attached importance to Covid-19 control and prevention in the province. Following the orders of the government, the provincial health department has launched health education campaigns to raise awareness of COVID-19 among local people.

(KPL) The United Nations Population Fund and the Ministry of Health organized in Vientiane Capital on July 8 a handover ceremony for a mobile clinic van designed to deliver youth-friendly services to help youth gain access to sexual and reproductive health services, as well as to support providers and peers to overcome barriers when dealing with young people. The van is a very innovative, friendly solution for the unlimited needs that are necessary in terms of health services and care for adolescents. It reaches youth wherever they are to break the obstacles of distance and accessibility.

(KPL) The Korea Gyeonggido Company and the Gyeonggi Volunteer Center announced that they donated medical and hygiene supplies to the Lao PDR to support its anti-COVID-19 efforts. As the world’s cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is approaching 19 million, the Lao government is striving to prevent possible second wave of COVID-19 through such efforts as forbidding entry by foreigners into the country.

(KPL) July 3 witnessed the official launch of the construction of the Vientiane Station of the Laos-China Railway at Naxay village, Xaythany district, Vientiane Capital. The construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

(KPL) As part of the Noi approach for empowering adolescents and young people, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Lao PDR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ChildFund Australia for scaling up comprehensive sexuality education for secondary and Technical, Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) students.