Government of Lao PDR holds a pre-consultation on Disaster Recovery Framework in view of the Round Table Implementation Meeting 2019

Disaster Risk Reduction is one of the focus areas for this year’s RTIM. The key objective of the pre-consultation was to discuss the next steps for effective integration of the Disaster Recovery Framework into the national planning for the remaining period of the 8th NSEDP and the development of the 9th NSEDP. The panelists, including Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Public Work and Transport, Ministry of Finance, FAO, UN-Habitat, the Philippines Ambassador to Lao PDR as ASEAN Representative, Asian Development Bank, and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, discussed key planning, zoning, policy and regulatory framework requirements for recovery and exchanged international best practices related to recovery frameworks. The pre-consultation also focused on the criteria for needs prioritization, funding strategies, as well as ways to ensure that recovery provides for marginalized and vulnerable groups including women, youth, children and ethnic groups, and ways to enhance Lao PDR resilience to climate change.

Development of the Disaster Recovery Framework is based on the foundation of the recently approved Disaster Management Law, as well as the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment conducted following the devastating floods of 2018. The Framework is aimed at guiding the recovery efforts of the Government and implementing partners, ensuring that last year’s losses are addressed, and that sustainable rehabilitation and restoration of livelihoods is ensured in the most affected areas as a priority. Some of the key principles for the framework include development of risk-informed infrastructure systems to be incorporated into the 9th NSEDP through the principles of Building Back Better and Build To Last. The principles also focus on increasing national capacity for not only disaster response but prevention in order to strengthen Lao PDR’s medium to long-term resilience to disasters and climate change-related hazards. The Framework also ensures addressing the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, as set in the 8th NSEDP and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, highlighting inclusive development and the importance of leaving no one behind.

The annual RTIM is the main forum of the Round Table Process, a mechanism for high-level development dialogue to ensure maximum impact of development efforts, co-chaired by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the United Nations. The pre-consultation on Disaster Recovery Framework prepares the ground for the discussion that will continue at the RTIM Panel on Disaster Risk Reduction that will be focused on the topic of Indicative Support and Next Steps in Integrating DRR into the 9th NSEDP.