This morning, a handover ceremony was held at Wattay International Airport to mark the arrival of humanitarian relief supplies delivered by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130 aircraft. Australian Ambassador Megan Jones, together with Brig. Jen Harris, Commander of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 (IPE25), and Lt. Col. Nick Beumer, Defence Attaché, officially handed over the supplies to Minister Phosay Sayasone, Minister for Labour and Social Welfare. This delivery is part of IPE25, a regional initiative led by the Australian Defence Force to strengthen cooperation and resilience across the Indo-Pacific.

The humanitarian supplies, valued at AUD 98,000 (LAK 1.3 billion), include 360 hygiene kits, 360 kitchen kits, 2,200 blankets, 2,800 mosquito nets, and 1,800 mats, which will benefit more than 1,800 people.

“Australia remains committed to supporting the Lao government’s efforts to prepare for and respond to natural disasters or humanitarian emergencies,” said Megan Jones, Australian Ambassador to the Lao PDR. She added, “We are also pleased to know that the humanitarian supplies delivered over the past three years have supported many families affected by flooding across several provinces in Laos.”

“We sincerely appreciate Australia’s continued support in strengthening Laos’ disaster preparedness and emergency response,” said Mr Phosay Sayasone, Minister for Labour and Social Welfare. “These prepositioned humanitarian supplies are timely and valuable and will help us respond more effectively and promptly to the needs of families affected by natural disasters when they occur across the country, especially during the rainy season.”

In addition to today’s delivery, Australia recently supported Laos through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) by providing humanitarian supplies to assist 15,000 people, including family kits, kitchen sets, and personal hygiene kits from the Subang warehouse in Malaysia, valued at approximately USD 260,000 (LAK 5.6 billion).

These supplies, through the AHA Centre, have significantly supported Laos’ ability to respond to Tropical Cyclone WIPHA and the Southwest Monsoon. The Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 delivery complements this assistance by further enhancing preparedness and ensuring essential supplies are available when disasters strike.

Australia’s humanitarian assistance reflects the strength of our longstanding cooperation with Laos and ASEAN, reinforcing Australia’s role as a reliable and trusted partner in humanitarian support and emergency response across the region. It also demonstrates Australia’s steadfast commitment to ASEAN’s collective response efforts and the spirit of One ASEAN, One Response.

This humanitarian assistance is part of Australia’s broader humanitarian and development cooperation with the Lao PDR. Through initiatives like IPE25 and collaboration with ASEAN, Australia continues to stand with Laos in building a safer and more resilient future.

KPL