(KPL) In a continued effort to support vulnerable communities affected by natural disasters, the government of Champasak Province organized a humanitarian handover ceremony on July 25, 2025, at the Champasak Provincial Office in Pakse City. The event was led by Mr. Alounxay Sounnalath, Governor of Champasak Province, and attended by relevant provincial and city officials, representatives of affected communities, and members of the media.

The relief operation targeted families impacted by floods, house fires, storms, and landslides that occurred in various parts of Pakse City during 2024. According to provincial authorities, the support aims to alleviate immediate hardships while helping affected households begin the process of recovery and reconstruction.

The relief supplies distributed during the ceremony included: 2,844 kilograms of rice, over 600 sheets of zinc roofing, and a quantity of iron nails and other construction materials.

The total estimated value of the donated goods was 112,223,000 kip. These supplies were allocated to 15 families from five different villages in Pakse City, all of whom had suffered losses and damage due to natural disasters over the past year.

Governor Alounxay Sounnalath expressed the province’s commitment to ensuring that no citizen is left behind in times of crisis. “The provincial government stands in solidarity with the people of Pakse. While we cannot prevent natural disasters, we can take action to support each other during difficult times,” he said during his remarks.

Local authorities noted that Pakse City has faced multiple environmental challenges over the past year, including prolonged rainfall, flash floods, and fires, which have left several households homeless or in unsafe living conditions. This round of support is part of a broader disaster relief initiative by the province, which includes long-term strategies to improve infrastructure resilience, establish early-warning systems, and increase community preparedness for future emergencies.

Village chiefs and affected residents expressed gratitude for the assistance. “We lost everything in the fire last year. This support will help us rebuild our roof and have food to eat,” said a recipient from one of the five beneficiary villages.

The handover event was also used as an opportunity to raise awareness about disaster preparedness and to strengthen coordination between provincial and village-level response teams. Authorities emphasized the importance of prompt reporting of disaster impacts, improved risk mapping, and pre-positioning of supplies in disaster-prone areas.

In the coming weeks, Champasak Province plans to conduct further assessments in other districts and identify additional families in need of support. The provincial disaster management committee is also working with partners to mobilize more resources for future relief efforts.

KPL