Australia provides assistance to Lao communities affected by rodent outbreak
The Australian Government has contributed A$500,000 to the World Food Programme to assist communities in Northern upland Laos affected by rodent infestation.
Australian funding will be used to purchase 641 metric tonnes of rice for distribution to affected communities.
The funding is in response to an urgent request from the World Food Programme following an assessment of the rodent infestation conducted in March this year.
The assessment revealed that Laos is experiencing the worst rodent outbreak in more than 20 years. It is affecting nine districts which are amongst the poorest in the country.
Since April 2008, rodent populations have increased rapidly in many villages in Northern Laos. The rodents have destroyed upland harvests and 100% rice losses are common. Between 85,000 and 140,000 people are estimated to be living in affected communities.
Australia’s A$500,000 contribution to the World Food Programme is in addition to the A$1 million provided to Laos in January 2009 in response to the UN Joint Appeal for Flood Recovery and Rehabilitation for food security activities during flooding in August 2008.
Media contacts: Ms Raine Dixon
Head of Development Cooperation
Australian Embassy
Vientiane
Tel: 353800