SEA-UEMA Project in Lao PDR

Nong Duang Thong Village: A Changed Living Environment for a Poor Community

uemlaopdr — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:08:38 +0000

May 15th, 2008 was a different day for the residents of Nong Duang Thong village. On this day, the village, composed of 78 households, was officially recognized as one of the clean and healthy communities in Lao PDR. The village was a so-called urban slum near the capital of Vientiane, characterized by high population density and associated environmental and health problems. After implementing a series of steps towards greater environmental management and sustainability, the village received the Community Urban Environment Prize under the Clean Village Category. A prestigious reward given by Sikhottabing District council to recognize community achievements in addressing environmental issues.

Community Toilet Implemented by the Project

Not so long ago, clogged waterways and wastewater flooding was a common phenomenon in the village. The residents frequently suffered from various water borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever and skin disease. In August 2006, the community embarked on an initiative towards integrated environmental management, incorporating the goals of gender equality. This initiative was entitled Integrated Environmental Management of a Typical Low-Income Community project and was supported by the CIDA and AIT through SEA-UEMA Project. It was also supported by the Public Works and Transport Institute, a government research agency based in Vientiane.

Project-supported Community Drainage System

The project implemented, among other things, a public drainage system and community toilets. It began in August 2006, and lasted for a period of one year, until August 2007. As a result of this project, previously unsanitary conditions in the village have been largely alleviated, and the community is now enjoying a better living environment.

The Sikhottabing District Health Office ranked Nong Duang Thong among the top villages in the district for public health quality. It now ranks 216th in Lao PDR for villages with a clean living environment. Reported cases of dengue fever, diarrhea and other diseases have declined drastically, as the issue of water clogging, particularly during the rainy season, has been tackled through the construction of drainage systems. The village community participated actively, in a gender responsive manner, to make this project a success; and the villagers were delighted to be awarded for their achievement.

Mrs. Can Suan, a community member living in the village for the last ten years said “we always had to endure very bad smell in the area, specially in the rainy season when the drainage overflowed and there were not enough drainage facilities to pump out the waste water from the back and front yards. We had no choice but to live with that worst situation.” To show her gratitude to the project, she expressed, “after the project, we have new and improved drainage systems, and those days are gone and we have more to enjoy in life.”

Regional Conference

uemlaopdr — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:01:21 +0000

No.

Conference/Location

Date

Regional Conference on Urban Water and Sanitation in Southeast Asian Cities, Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Published: Proceedings

22 – 24 Nov. 2006

Gender Training

uemlaopdr — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:36:06 +0000

No.	Training/Location		Date
1	National Training on Integrating Gender Equality in UEM Projects in Vientiane, Lao PDR.		24-28 Nov. 2008

Pilot Project

uemlaopdr — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:11:15 +0000

No.	Project/Location		Date
1	Community-Based Drainage and Sanitation for Parkhoiu Area and HouaXieng Village, VatNong Village & HouaXieng Village, Luang Prabang, Loas. Implementer: Dr. Khamphay Sisavanh, Rector of Souphanouvong University, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.		On going

Joint Action Research

uemlaopdr — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:08:10 +0000

No.

Project/Location

Date

Implications for Waste Recycling and Waste Separation Demonstrations. Implementer: Urban Research Institute, Laos.

Published: Monograph

Nov 2004- Dec. 2005

Alumni Demonstration

uemlaopdr — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:22:18 +0000

No.	Projects/Location	Date
1	Strengthening and Supporting Nongnak Village Cooperation Solid Waste Collection, Phone Hong District, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Implementer: Mr. Xeng Xiong Nengxay	Feb 2005 to Mar. 2006
2	Decentralized Sanitation for a Cluster of Households, Thongkhankham Neua village, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Implementer: Mr. Lonkham Atsanavong	Completed in June 2007
3	Integrated Environmental Management of a Typical Low Income Community, Nong Daung Thong, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Implementer: Mr. Phouthala Souksakhone Published: Technical Manual	Completed in July 2007

Policy Dialog

uemlaopdr — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:21:08 +0000

No.

Policy dialogs/Location

Date

Roundtable on Solid Waste Management Policies and Policy Dialog on Urban Wastewater Management in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

6-7 March 2008

Policy Dialog on Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Vientiane City, Lao PDR.

Published: Proceedings

24 March 2006

UEM Trainings and Meetings

uemlaopdr — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:25:16 +0000

No.	Trainings/Location	Date
1	National Network Sustainability Meeting, Vientiane, Lao PDR	05 Sept. 2009
2	Focus Learning Workshop on Community-Based on Water and Sanitation, Suvannakhet Province, Lao PDR	28-30 May 2009

3	Training Program on Urban Water Supply and Sanitation, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.	8-11 July 2008
4	Professional Training Program on Urban Environmental Planning and Management, Champasak, Lao PDR.	20-23 Feb. 2006
5	The National UEM Sub-sector Networks Meeting, Champasak, Lao PDR.	24 Feb. 2006