11 May 2012
Australia increases aid to Laos
In 2012-13, the Australian Government will provide an estimated LAK442 billion or $A54.9 million in official development assistance to Lao PDR. This is an increase of around 30 per cent over the 2011-12 budget allocation.
The additional funding will, among other things, help more Lao children go to school in the most disadvantaged regions, and will improve the livelihoods of rural communities. The Australian aid program to Laos will continue to focus its work on education, inclusive growth through trade and investment reform and rural development.
Australia’s Ambassador to Laos, HE Lynda Worthaisong said “this increase reflects the strong commitment of the Australian Government to assisting Laos to overcome poverty and attain the Millennium Development Goals”.
The 2012-13 Australian Government Budget, which was handed down on 8 May, also provides increases to multilateral replenishments, UN and other global organisations, humanitarian assistance and emergency response program, and to NGOs. The increases to the aid program reflect the Australian Government’s overall commitment to increase the size of its aid program from 0.35% of Australia’s Gross National Income in 2012-13 to around 0.45% of GNI by 2015-16.
The Australian Government also released a new Comprehensive Aid Policy Framework on 8 May 2012. The Framework articulates a four-year vision for Australian aid that sets out how much Australia will deliver, where and why by 2015-16.
This new Framework will enable the Australian Government to work together with the Government of Laos to plan and implement aid investments more effectively over the next four years, delivering better results for the people of Laos.
Media Enquiries:
Media contacts: Katheryn Bennett
Acting Counsellor Development Cooperation
AusAID, Australian Embassy
Ph: (21) 353800 Ext.121