ຂປລ
The National Disaster Management Committee, in collaboration with Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao Public (BCEL), has launched the BCEL OneHeart platform to collect donations for disaster relief in 14 provinces, including Luang Namtha, which has been severely impacted by recent flooding.
(KPL) The National Disaster Management Committee, in collaboration with Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao Public (BCEL), has launched the BCEL OneHeart platform to collect donations for disaster relief in 14 provinces, including Luang Namtha, which has been severely impacted by recent flooding.
The fundraising initiative, running from September 14 to October 14, 2024, invites contributions from individuals, communities, and organizations. All donations will go towards recovery efforts in regions affected by storms, floods, and typhoons.
BCEL OneHeart offers a convenient way for the public to support ongoing relief and rebuilding efforts, helping those most affected by this year's natural disasters.
Ms. Saysamone Chanthachak, BCEL Director General, said that Laos is currently experiencing widespread flooding that has extended across many provinces, including Vientiane. In response to this situation, the National Disaster Management Committee has collaborated with BCEL to organize a fundraising campaign to support disaster victims for the year 2024 through the BCEL OneHeart platform.
This initiative aims to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the recent floods. Individuals and organizations interested in contributing can donate funds 24/7 via the OneHeart platform starting from September 14, 2024.
Donations can be made with or without a BCEL bank account. Contributors from abroad can use international payment methods, including VISA, MasterCard, UnionPay, and JCB, via the website www.oneheart.la. BCEL will cover the 2.5% transaction fee for international payments. 
At the launch event, Vongkham Phanthanouvong, Director General of the Social Welfare Department and Member of the Secretariat of the National Disaster Management Committee, provided an update on the impact of the disasters between July and September. He highlighted that Laos had been hit by tropical storms, depressions, and Typhoon Yagi, which caused widespread damage across the northern, central, and southern regions.
According to Vongkham, 14 provinces and 99 districts were affected, impacting 46,545 households—or approximately 177,600 people. Five people lost their lives, and two sustained injuries. A total of 649 households (over 34,700 people), were temporarily evacuated. Significant damage included 195 houses, over 12,600 hectares of farmland, 263 roads, 12 bridges, and key public infrastructure such as water systems, schools, and health facilities.
Preliminary estimates place the total damage at over LAK 477 billion.
In response, national and provincial disaster management committees, along with military and security forces, were mobilized to relocate people and livestock to safe areas. Medical teams were dispatched to provide healthcare, while essential supplies—such as food, drinking water, and household items—were delivered to affected regions.
Water purification trucks were also deployed to ensure safe drinking water, and anti-mosquito measures were implemented to prevent disease outbreaks. Efforts to restore infrastructure, including roads and bridges, are underway to enable movement and aid delivery.
KPL
