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Background
Situated in Southeast Asia, Laos is a small landlocked country
with a population of over 5 million people. Over 80 percent
of the labour force is involved in subsistence agriculture,
even though less than 10 percent of land is suitable for farming.
Landmines make many areas dangerous to farm. As a result,
many families struggle to produce enough food to feed themselves.
More than a quarter of the population is undernourished. Damaged
roads and bridges make it difficult for communities to trade,
communicate and access essential health and education services.
The country continues to depend heavily on international aid.
World Vision Australia is working with communities in Laos. Below are examples of funded projects:
Agriculture
World Vision is working with communities to increase their
crop yields. By introducing new crop varieties and modern
agricultural techniques, food levels have increased significantly,
with most families in the project area now having enough food.
Health
This project focuses on maternal and child health, providing
training for village health workers and traditional birth
attendants in isolated areas. World Vision is also training
government staff and providing equipment to improve health
care services for remote communities.
Disaster Mitigation
This project assists villagers to prepare for disasters such
as floods. Building weirs helps to reduce flash flooding and
ensures that water is available for the drier season.
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