Today, U.S. Ambassador to the Lao PDR H.E. Ms Karen B. Stewart and Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Lao PDR Ms Eri Kudo visited flood-stricken Khammuane Province to meet with provincial officials and observe the distribution of U.S.-funded food assistance to families affected by recent severe flooding.

The visit was joined by Mr. Prasith Dethphommatheth, Head of the National Disaster Management Office and Director General of the Social Welfare Department at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, and Mr Sengthong Phakhounthong, Chairman of the Provincial Assembly in Khammuane Province.  The mission travelled by boat to Phanang Village as roads to the village remain cut off by recent floods. In the community they observed the distribution of three month rations of rice and vegetable oil to villagers who lost their harvest to recent floods.

Photo: US Ambassador to Laos Ms Karen Stewart shakes hands with Mr Sengthong Phakhounthong at a ceremony to hand over food in Phanang village, Mahaxay district, Khammuane province. Photo credit: Mike Pryor