VIENTIANE, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The European Union has released more than 82,000 euro in humanitarian funding to assist the most vulnerable communities affected by floods since August in Laos.
The aid will directly benefit some 5,000 people heavily impacted across Lao northwestern Oudomxay province, Lao state-run news agency KPL reported Monday.
This EU funding supports the Lao Red Cross in delivering much-needed humanitarian assistance through the provision of food and non-food items, including rice, noodles, canned fish, blankets and mosquito nets.
In addition, training sessions on hygiene are also being organized alongside with the delivery of soap and sanitary items, in order to ensure good hygiene practices in affected households.
Laos witnessed heavy downpours in mid-August as the annual monsoon season reached its peak. The situation, aggravated by tropical storm Dianmu which brought more rains to the country, forced families in affected localities to evacuate to safer ground and left swathes of agricultural land inundated.
Although floodwaters receded in many areas, many houses sustained damage and crops have been destroyed.
According to the Lao Red Cross, floods have affected nearly 20,000 people across in provinces of Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Saravan, Xayaboury and Xieng Khuang.
