Remarks at Meeting of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee

Opening remarks

Co-Chair Mr. Vongkham Phanthanouvong, Director-General of the Social Welfare Department, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare,
Representatives of the line ministries and development partners,
Dear Cluster lead/co-lead agencies and members, UN colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen:

On behalf of the UN Country Team, I thank you all for joining us this morning at the Inter-Agency Standing Committee meeting for 2024. It is my great pleasure to co-chair today’s meeting with DG Vongkham.

Let me acknowledge the work done to update the last year’s Inter-Agency Contingency Plan (IACP) by all cluster leads, co-leads, members from government agencies, UN and non-UN humanitarian agencies. I appreciate everyone’s contributions to the update.

The IASC serves as an inter-agency forum for coordination, policy development and decision-making, involving the government and humanitarian partners. Our collective goal is to enhance disaster preparedness and response efforts in case of emergencies.

Today’s meeting will cover collective experiences from the 2023 disaster preparedness and response, seasonal risk forecasts for 2024, the principles and functions of the IASC, and a summary of the inter-agency contingency plan for 2024.

Ladies and gentlemen:

Historic disaster data from July 2012 to December 2023 shows a total of 6,716 disasters all over the ASEAN region. The years 2021, 2022 and 2023 have the highest numbers of recorded disaster events, with a peak of 1,800 in 2022.

There is an increasing trend in disaster occurrences in the ASEAN region, and Lao PDR is not an exception. Over 11 years before the end of 2023, Laos experienced 39 significant disasters that brought about much loss and damage.

More than 90% of disasters in the region are hydrometeorological in nature, including floods, landslides, severe winds and storms. A similar pattern applies to Laos.

Lao PDR ranked 121 out of 185 countries on the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) Index  in terms of climate change impacts. Another study identified it as the 6th most flood-prone country, with nearly 40% of its population (3 million people) exposed to flood risks.

We don’t need to be meteorologist to feel extreme temperatures. In April 2023, Laos experienced hottest its day ever, with recorded temperatures approaching 43°C in some of the provinces.

Ladies and gentlemen:

With the increasing number of climate-induced disasters in Lao PDR, the IASC plays a crucial role in humanitarian coordination. A coordinated approach to disaster preparedness and response is therefore a must.

The nine IASC clusters have significant roles and great potential to provide timely and effective humanitarian support to those affected, especially the most vulnerable people and communities.

IASC recognizes the government’s lead role in emergency response, and the Inter-Agency Contingency Plan is designed to complement and support – not substitute – national efforts.

On behalf of the IASC, I would like to thank everyone – cluster leads, co-lead agencies, members from the government, UN agencies and INGOs – who have worked hard to bring this year’s IACP to this stage.

I would also like to express my appreciation to OCHA’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific for providing valuable support to IASC throughout the process.

I look forward to working together – and to an open and interactive discussion today.

Thank you.
 
 

Closing remarks

Co-Chair Mr. Vongkham Phanthanouvong, Director-General of the Social Welfare Department, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare,
Representatives of the line ministries and development partners,
Cluster lead and co-lead agencies and members, UN colleagues,
 

Ladies and gentlemen:

I thank you all for your meaningful participation today on behalf of the UN Country Team in Laos.

I would like to recognize the presenters from MoLSW, MoNRE and the UN colleagues for giving us a useful update on the experiences from 2023 disaster preparedness and response, and covering the seasonal risk forecasts and our joint preparedness efforts in 2024.

The Inter-Agency Contingency Plan is intended to be a living document. Its content can be changed or updated by cluster leads/co-leads in coordination with respective cluster members as and when needed.

As stated by presenters, the Inter-Agency Contingency Plan should be reviewed regularly, particularly prior to the rainy season, and revised according to lessons learnt to inform future emergency response actions.

It should be pointed out that, in actual emergency situations, NGOs faced challenges in responding to disasters due to limited geographical mandates and authorizations. This hindered timely and efficient humanitarian efforts and impeded support reaching the affected communities. We will continue coordinating with MoFA and other relevant government agencies, recognizing the need for life-saving support from NGOs during emergencies.

Dear colleagues:
Based on today’s discussion, I would like to put forward four major action points for our follow-up to this meeting:

1.  First, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, together with cluster leads, will participate in the upcoming Central Disaster Management Committee (CDMC) meeting to provide a brief on the IASC and to strengthen cluster response mechanism during emergencies in coordination with CDMC Secretariat in the Department of Social Welfare.
2.  Second, cluster leads will closely monitor the monsoon situation and potential emergencies, coordinate with respective cluster members, and be prepared to respond upon Government request. RCO will disseminate the monsoon situation report with the support from the UN Communication Group.
3.  Further, IASC co-chairs will, in the coming days, look into developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), defining trigger mechanisms for the provision of international humanitarian assistance, ensuring timely response to the needs of affected populations.
4.  And last, after incorporating today’s feedback and suggestions from participants, we will consider the 2024 IACP endorsed. The updated English and Lao versions will be shared among all of us and uploaded onto multiple platforms, including the UN Lao PDR website and Prevention Web.

I take this opportunity to reiterate UN’s strong commitment to support the Government of Lao PDR in its tireless efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and response capacities.

I am confident that, together, we will enhance resilience of people and communities around the country. I conclude by thanking you, once again, for being part of this important coordination platform.