Vientiane:The Lao PDR government, in partnership with the United Nations, has introduced a new initiative aimed at ensuring disaster warnings are accessible to all, especially in remote and vulnerable communities. The initiative, launched on October 13, focuses on delivering warnings in comprehensible formats to enable effective action during disasters.
According to Lao News Agency, this initiative coincides with the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Lao PDR's National Disaster Management Day. It features the Inclusive Risk Communication Initiative and an open call for short videos to promote inclusive multi-hazard early warning systems. The event was co-chaired by Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment Chanthakhone Boualaphan and UN Resident Coordinator Bakhodir Burkhanov, hosted by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).
A national survey conducted in 2025 revealed that 41 percent of 1,741 households surveyed across nine provinces had not received early warnings. The survey highlighted language barriers, with most messages in Lao-Tai languages, while many households spoke Hmong-Mien or Mon-Khmer languages. The initiative aims to address these gaps by developing accessible communication materials and conducting a national awareness campaign.
Running until December 2027, the initiative will leverage official DMH forecasts and warnings, engaging young people and content creators to reach remote communities. Vice Minister Boualaphan emphasized the importance of ensuring warnings reach everyone, while UN Coordinator Burkhanov noted the necessity of inclusion for effective warnings.
The open call encourages young people, students, and content creators in Laos to produce short videos in various languages to aid recognition and response to hazards like floods and droughts. Submissions close on November 12, 2026, with winners receiving certificates and cash prizes. The initiative supports national disaster management laws and strategies, with technical coordination by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.