(KPL) The assistance covers 18 severely affected villages in four districts – Songkhone, Champhone, Xaybuly and Xonbuly. Each beneficiary will receive the equivalent of US$60 to help meet household food and nutritional needs for 30 days.

The official handover ceremony was held in Dongmakfai Village, Xaybuly District, on November 3, 2026, attended by Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Phongxaysack Inthalath, Savannakhet Vice Governor Thongsay Xayavongkhamdy, US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Michelle Outlaw, WFP Country Director Marc-André Prost and other officials.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Phongxaysack said severe flooding between July and September 2026, caused by tropical storms and heavy monsoon rainfall, had affected communities across the country.

He said the assistance represented an important contribution to helping flood-affected families overcome livelihood difficulties and reflected the cooperation between the Lao and US governments in disaster response and humanitarian assistance.

Joint assessments by the National Disaster Management Committee and UN agencies found that flooding had affected 71,797 families, comprising 345,477 people, in 1,480 villages across 99 districts in 14 provinces. Among those affected, 159,092 were women. The disasters also resulted in 22-24 reported deaths.

Damage to infrastructure, schools, health facilities, electricity and communications networks, farmland, homes and livestock was estimated at 9.14 trillion kip, or more than US$400 million.

The Government mobilised emergency response teams and distributed drinking water, relief supplies and rice from the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve and the AHA Centre. However, the extent of the damage required additional support from international partners.

WFP Country Director Marc-André Prost said cash assistance was being prioritised in areas where markets remained operational and food supplies were available.

He said direct cash support gave families greater flexibility to decide their most urgent needs while also helping local shops and small businesses recover from the economic impact of the floods.

The assistance in Savannakhet forms part of an US$11 million, 12-month programme funded by the US Government through the U.S. Global Award to strengthen emergency preparedness, early warning systems and disaster response in Laos.

Under the programme, WFP and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare are supporting more than 50,000 people in three priority provinces: Luang Namtha, where food assistance is provided, and Savannakhet and Sekong, where cash assistance is being delivered.

Representing the US Embassy, Ms Michelle Outlaw reaffirmed the United States' commitment to supporting disaster-affected communities and strengthening the country's capacity to respond to future climate-related emergencies.

WFP said its Research, Assessment and Monitoring teams would continue monitoring market conditions and prices to ensure the assistance remained appropriate. Beneficiaries will also have access to feedback and complaints mechanisms to report any concerns during the distribution process.

KPL