DEVELOPMENT Luxembourg COOPERATION

June 2016 BILATERAL COOPERATION

– 2 – Content

04 LAOS OVERVIEW

06 STRATEGIES & PRINCIPLES

LUXEMBOURG DEVELOPMENT 07 COOPERATION IN LAOS

08 FIGURES

10 BILATERAL COOPERATION

17 MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

20 COOPERATION THROUGH NGOS

21 HUMANITARIAN ACTION

23 CONTACTS

– 3 – Laos, overview

139/187 6,803,700 Population

Human Development Index in 2014 usd

Population growth rate 7.8/1,000 Death rate 3 100 GDP /capita (PPP) 1.59 Rate of urbanisation % 4.41% 24.8/1,000 Birth rate Infant mortality rate Life Expectancy 68at birth 2.9 Children born/woman Median Age

73% 22 55/1,000 Literacy rate 2

236,800 kmArea

– 4 – Luxembourg Development Cooperation areas of operation

Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in , Laos

© Lux-Development

CHINA

VIETNAM MYANMAR Oudomxay Ban Xamnua Oudomxay

Luang Prabang Sayaboury

Xaignabouli

Ban Mouang Cha Vientiane Bolikhamxay Phonhong

VIENTIANE Khammouane Thakhek

Savannakhet

Salavan Lamam

Pakse

Attapeu

CAMBODIA

– 5 – Luxembourg Development Cooperation: Strategies & Principles

Luxembourg Development Cooperation is strongly In parallel, Luxembourg Development Cooperation committed to eradicating poverty, particularly in is actively involved in discussions on new quality Least Developed Countries (LDC). While adopting a standards of international development assistance. human-centered approach, actions are designed and Luxembourg held the Presidency of the Council of the implemented in the spirit of sustainable development, European Union in 2015, which was a pivotal year for including its social, economic and environmental development cooperation. Major conferences shaping aspects. the EU development policy for the next fifteen years took place under the Luxembourg Presidency. At Luxembourg Development Cooperation primarily the occasion of the 3rd International Conference on aims at implementing the Sustainable Development Financing for Development in Addis Abeba, the Presi- Goals (SDG) by 2030. The main intervention sectors dency could contribute to the adoption of a diversified for development cooperation include: health, educa- package of means for development, while maintaining tion, particularly vocational and technical training and ODA. At the Summit in New York an ambitious univer- access to labour markets, and integrated local develop- sal agenda for sustainable development was adopted. ment with a strong emphasis on water and sanitation. Relevant initiatives in the field of microfinance are Its general strategy and principles are complemented encouraged and supported, both at the conceptual and by 12 sector strategies covering its main areas of inter- operational levels. vention; namely, health, humanitarian action, agri- culture and food security, local development, water From a geographic point of view, Luxembourg con- and sanitation, education, training and employability, centrates its interventions in a limited number of environment and climate change, gender, governance, partner countries in order to optimise effectiveness capacity building, fragile states and microfinance. and impact. Luxembourg Development Cooperation and humani- Since the year 2000, Luxembourg has been one of the tarian aid policy is characterised by a constant and few industrialised countries contributing more than progressive effort in quantitative and qualitative terms 0.7% of their Gross National Income (GNI) to Offi- for the benefit of the poorest. This policy is an expres- cial Development Assistance (ODA). In 2015, its ODA sion of true international solidarity and as such an reached 325 Million EUR representing nearly 1% of important vector of the foreign policy of the govern- GNI. This ODA is channelled through bilateral coop- ment of Luxembourg. eration, multilateral cooperation, and cooperation through Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), as well as through programme support. Additionally, whenever natural or man-made disasters occur, Luxembourg strongly supports rapid humani- tarian assistance through crisis management and res- cue operations. Disaster prevention and post-disaster transition work are part of Luxembourg’s humanitar- ian assistance strategy.

– 6 – Luxembourg Development Cooperation in Laos

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has been a Within ICP 4 (2016-2020) the three core sectors partner country for Luxembourg Development Coop- remained the same, but a stronger emphasis has been eration since the diplomatic relations between the put on good governance as a cross-cutting issue. two countries were established in the margins of the The geographic concentration of projects is further United Nations General Assembly in 1997. A first inter- strengthened as well. Luxembourg attends annual vention in the health sector started the same year. gatherings of development partners, Lao authorities and more recently also civil society and private sector A general Cooperation Agreement was signed in Vien- representatives, the Round Table Process meetings, tiane in February 2000, followed by the signature of which does not only provide a platform to discuss the first Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP) issues relevant to all stakeholders but also contributes covering the period of 2003 to 2006 with a total alloca- to a more effective use of development assistance in tion of 18 million EUR. Since 2003, annual Partnership Laos a.o. through the Vientiane declaration on aid Commission meetings have provided the opportunity effectiveness. Luxembourg also participates in the for exchanges at ministerial level between our two joint programming effort of the EU in Laos, where a countries on strategic orientations of our cooperation. first joint programme, aligned to the 8th NSEDP, has The following two ICPs (2007-2010, 35 million EUR; been adopted in 2016. 2011-2015, 50 million EUR) confirmed Luxembourg’s Luxembourg Development Cooperation is imple- commitment to support the Lao PDR in three core sec- mented through a variety of modalities. In addition to tors; namely, rural development, health and vocational bilateral interventions, around 20% of the total alloca- training while identifying good governance as a cross- tion of the ICP is implemented through multilateral cutting issue. The continued support further estab- organisations. Support to UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO and lished Luxembourg as a reliable and important partner WFP implementing a joint maternal and child health in development cooperation for the Lao society. project complements bilateral activities in the health Under the overall objective of poverty reduction, sector. Luxembourg Development Cooperation supports the Funding is also provided to seven Luxembourg NGOs efforts of the Lao government in the realisation of the which are active in the sectors of health, rural develop- SDGs as well as its target to graduate from least devel- ment and education amongst others. Small grants for oped country status by 2020. Interventions supported local NGOs are directly managed by the Embassy in by Luxembourg are closely aligned with national Hanoi. strategies and policies, as are the ICPs, as general frameworks with the National Socio-Economic Devel- From 2008 to 2014, Luxembourg responded with opment Plans (NSEDP). humanitarian assistance amounting to a total of 2,293,000 EUR to a number of natural disasters, The previous ICP started to put a stronger focus on mostly flooding in the central part of Laos. Luxembourg’s commitments towards development effectiveness.

– 7 – Figures

1. Bilateral Cooperation Total Budget Duration Code Title Execution EUR 2008-2016 LAO/020 Strengthening of Human Resources in Hospitality and Tourism LuxDev 7,500,000 2010-2016 LAO/021 Bolikhamxay Livelihood Improvement and Governance Project LuxDev 7,600,000 2010-2015 LAO/023 Strengthening the Rule of Law through Legal University Education LuxDev 5,000,000 2014-2021 LAO/024 Khammouane Local Development Project (KHALODEP) LuxDev 5,000,000 2012-2016 LAO/026 Technical Assistance to the IFAD Soum Son Seun Jai Programme LuxDev 1,700,000 2014-2021 LAO/027 Lao-Luxembourg Health Sector Support Programme-Phase II LuxDev 20,000,000 Strengthening of the Capacity of the Department of International Cooperation 2014-2016 LAO/028 LuxDev 800,000 of the Ministry of Planning and Investment 2016-2020 LAO/029 Skills for Tourism LuxDev *7,500,000 2016-2020 LAO/030 Rural Development Programme LuxDev 14,650,000 2016-2020 LAO/031 Support to Legal Training and Promotion of the Concept of Rule of Law LuxDev 5,000,000 Luxembourg-Laos Partnership for Research and Capacity Building in Infectious 2010-2015 - MAEE 2,237,604 Disease Surveillance (PARECIDS) 2016-2020 - PARECIDS II MAEE 2,773,273 * Together with SDC - 15,000,000) 2. Multilateral Cooperation Total Budget Duration Title Execution Agency EUR Supporting the implementation of the national integrated package of UNICEF, WHO, WFP, 2011-2015 8,103,710 maternal, neonatal and child health services in the Lao PDR UNFPA Supporting the Establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme and 2011-2015 ILO, WHO 1,525,000 the Extension of Coverage in Lao PDR Realizing the MDGs in Lao PDR–Consolidated Programme of Support to MPI 2012-2015 for the Achievement of the Valuable Goals of the 7th NSEDP 2011-2015–Sup- UNDP 500,000 port to the Roundtable Process. Strengthening Capacity and Service Delivery of Local Administrations 2012-2015 UNCDF 775,000 (GPAR–Governance and Public Administration Reform-Project) 2011-2015 Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme, Phase V UNDP 750,000 Support to the River Commission (MRC) Climate Change and 2010-2015 MRC 2,145,000 Adaptation Initiative (CCAI)

3. Cooperation with NGOs Total Budget Duration Title NGO EUR Fondation Caritas 2011-2015 From vulnerability to resilience V2R 466,204 Luxembourg Fondation Caritas 2012-2015 Poor farmer families improve their food security 144,000 Luxembourg Formalisation of a model for functional readjustment and development of a Handicap International 2014-2017 291,200 quality control system Luxembourg Aide au développement 2015-2018 Cardiology and cardiac surgery in Laos 2015-2018 1,200,000 de la Santé Aide au développement 2015-2018 Interventional catheterisation for congenital heart diseases in Laos 292,518 de la Santé 2013-2017 Partnership in the combat against poverty and women’s empowerment CARE in Luxembourg 258,903 Development of infrastructures and communal mechanisms in Aide internationale de la 2015-2017 278,738 Croix rouge luxembourgeoise 2012-2015 Future-oriented food securisation in CARE in Luxembourg 406,384 Strengthening of the local health systems for an improved access and quality 2014-2016 CARE in Luxembourg 472,097 of maternal, neonatal and child health services for ethnic communities of Laos

4. Humanitarian Assistance Total Budget Duration Title NGO EUR Prevention Fondation Caritas 2011-2015 Support to disaster risk reduction and community resilience in . 406,127 Luxembourg Funding of an aquatic ressource capture facility and a medical dispensary water Amitiés Luxembourg- 2015 5,380 supply in Sibounhuaeng Amérique Latine a.s.b.l. Strengthening the resilience of the vulnerable communities in the district of Thath- Fondation Caritas 2015 69,964 om. Luxembourg

– 8 – Bilateral Cooperation 9,606,866 EUR

Multilateral Cooperation 2,383,281 EUR 2014

NGO 788,428 EUR Humanitarian Action and Food Aid 194,498 EUR

Evolution of Funds disbursed

millions EUR

14

12

9

6

3

0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 11,885,054 EUR 13,434,132 EUR 13,377,038 EUR 12,973,073 EUR 10,601,762 EUR

– 9 – BILATERAL COOPERATION

Strengthening of Human Resources in Hospitality and Tourism

2008-2016 LAO/020

The Lao/020 or “Lanith” project (www.lanith. Finally, the project and its partners will build and com) aims to contribute to economic develop- operate a Hospitality and Tourism school. This ment and poverty reduction in Laos, through the involves not only the construction of the school development of the hospitality and tourism sec- but also its complete equipment with kitchens tor. The project focuses particularly on capacity and training facilities (computers, resources, building in order to improve the quality of service library). While construction is underway in Vien- in the sector. tiane, the facility (The Balcony) is The first activity focuses on the strategy and the already operational. institutionalisation of training in the hospitality Existing and future stakeholders of the tourism and tourism sector in Laos from the point of view and hospitality sector are the main beneficiaries of conceptualising and implementing human of this project and will become important con- resources development. tributors to a growing sector in Laos. The project also concentrates on training content In the framework of ICP 4, a new project entitled for skills in the areas of food and beverage, restau- “Tourism skills” will be implemented (2016-2020) rant management, front desk, housekeeping, tour together with SDC (Swiss Development Coopera- guides and travel agents. tion) in the same sector. (15,000,000 EUR). In addition, the project works on the training of Luxembourg contribution: 7,500,000 EUR trainers to further build teaching capacities. t Training of service staff at Lanith Luang Prabang

– 10 – BILATERAL COOPERATION

Bolikhamxay Livelihood Improvement and Governance Project

2010-2016 LAO/021

The Bolikhamxay Livelihood Improvement and This includes improved planning, administration, Governance Project is an integrated rural devel- information systems, statistics, mapping and pub- opment project under the Lao-Luxembourg lic service delivery. The two other components Cooperation Programme. The goal of the project focus on the 60 target villages in the three poorest is for Bolikhamxay Province to meet the 2015 tar- districts of Khamkeut, Viengthong and Xaycham- gets of the Millennium Development Goals and phone. The second component supports basic the provincial poverty indicators. The specific infrastructure development, especially schools objective is better livelihoods and quality of life and clean water supplies, but also improved for 36,000 people in the 60 poorest villages in the road access, community meeting halls, markets, three poorest districts of the province. The pro- and dormitories for high school students from gramme particularly targets around 26,00 people remote areas. The last component provides Vil- who, according to the 2009 poverty assessment, lage Development Funds (VDF) to the target vil- live on less than 0,5 EUR per day. The popula- lages, on average 23,000 EUR per village, owned tion mostly consists of ethnic minorities living in and managed by each community for credit and traditional and relatively remote villages with dif- communal grant purposes. ficult access to markets and public services. The After five years of project implementation, the economy is agricultural, mainly shifting cultiva- number of villages classified as poor has been tion on sloping land, supplemented by animal reduced from 60 to 6 based on the original pov- husbandry and limited paddy cultivation. erty criteria. Moreover, 55 out of the 60 target vil- The project has three main components. The first lages have more than doubled their household supports the provincial administration and all ownership with respect to wealth indicators, such seven districts of the province regarding better as motorbikes, two-wheel tractors and housing governance directed at rural poverty reduction. standards. Since the target villages were among the poorest and the least serviced at the start of the project, these improvements are also greatly helping the target districts in attaining their objectives as set in the provincial socio-economic development plan. The project support has also been effective and efficient in increasing local capacity, democracy, public participation, as well as empowerment, especially of women. Luxembourg contribution: 7,600,000 EUR t Hmong girls fetching water, Bolikhamxay province

– 11 – BILATERAL COOPERATION

Strengthening the Rule of Law through Legal University Education

2010-2015 LAO/023

The general objective of this project is to labour-market needs. It also works on strength- strengthen the rule of law through the support of ening the Faculty of Law and Political Science’s the Faculty of Law. The direct beneficiaries are physical and institutional capacity in the areas the students and the lecturers of this faculty. of management, effectiveness and sustainability In view of the Faculty of Law and Political Sci- through institutional strengthening and the con- ence’s rapid evolution during the last four to five struction of dormitories as well as of parts of the years, it appears that the faculty is facing a series Faculty building in itself. of challenges that are similar to the ones affecting In ICP 4, a second and more comprehen- the entire higher education system in Laos. sive phase of this project will be implemented Addressing these challenges, the project’s specific (5,000,000 EUR). It will concentrate both on objective is to improve the quality of higher edu- legal training and the promotion of the concept cation at the Faculty of Law and Political Science. of rule of law. The project looks at improving the Faculty’s Luxembourg contribution: 5,000,000 EUR teaching quality, giving students enhanced theo- retical and practical knowledge, in coherence with

t Students conducting role plays, embracing new learning methods

– 12 – BILATERAL COOPERATION

Khammouane Local Development Project (KHALODEP)

2014-2021 LAO/024

Rural development and poverty alleviation are of • A subsequent five-year phase II (2016-2020) equal strategic importance to the Lao Govern- will focus on implementing the KHALODEP ment and have been emphasised prominently in investments in selected target villages and the previous and more recent national five-year areas and support the province and districts in plans – the aim being to lift the Lao PDR into the managing, monitoring, and evaluating the pro- list of Middle Income Countries by 2020 through vincial SEDP. growth and poverty reduction. The detailed scope, plans and budgets for this Despite the positive poverty reduction trend of second phase will ultimately be specified when recent years, poverty and serious social inequali- the new SEDP is approved in 2015. It is however ties persist in remote rural areas. understood that budgets are earmarked for pov- The Khammouane Local Development Project erty reduction and environmental management (KHALODEP) will operate in a phased manner at in the selected target areas. provincial level and to the benefit of 35 villages The 2+5 model will facilitate alignment and har- (consolidated from 45 old villages) across three monisation, including the possibility of good target districts of Khammouane province: Nakai, cooperation with the on-going Lao-Luxembourg Boualapha and Mahaxai. The Project will be Health programme. aligned with the provincial five-year Socio-Eco- In ICP 4, this project will be integrated in a greater nomic Development Plan (SEDP), thus divided rural development project covering four target into two phases of respectively two and five (2+5) provinces for an amount of 14,650,000 EUR. years: Luxembourg contribution: 5,000,000 EUR • A first two-year phase will assist the provin- cial and district authorities in strengthening the planning of the Socio-Economic Develop- ment Plan, while ensuring that the KHALODEP activities are aligned with government policies, plans and budgets, and harmonised with the development efforts of other donor agencies;

– 13 – BILATERAL COOPERATION

Technical Assistance to the IFAD Soum Son Seun Jai Programme

2012-2016 LAO/026

The LAO/026 project is delivering technical LuxDev contributes to the programme by deliver- assistance to the IFAD funded community-based ing technical assistance through two international Food Security and Economic Opportunities Pro- and five national programme advisors. Besides gramme. The “Community-based Food Security building the capacity of the implementing agen- and Economic Opportunities Programme” was cies to efficiently manage and implement the launched in 2011 and operates in the provinces of programme, the advisors are also instrumental in Sayabouli and Oudomxay in the Northern part of introducing innovative approaches and technolo- Laos. It is carried out jointly by the Government gies to the programme. of Lao PDR, the International Fund for Agricul- The programme’s main activities are: tural Development (IFAD), the World Food Pro- gramme (WFP) and LuxDev. • The development of integrated farming sys- tems, including upland conservation and pro- The SSSJ Programme will contribute to the reduc- duction systems, livestock development and tion of extreme poverty and hunger in Xayabouly water management and; and Oudomxay Provinces by ensuring sustainable • Improved market linkage through village access food security and income generation for 17,000 roads. poor households living in 225 target villages. Luxembourg contribution: 1,700,000 EUR

t Introduction of improved varieties increases overall yields per hectare thus food security-Pak

– 14 – BILATERAL COOPERATION

Lao-Luxembourg Health Sector Support Programme- Phase II

2014-2021 LAO/027

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has been pro- ing the Provincial Health Department roles and viding support to the health sector since the responsibilities, working towards the facilitation Cooperation between Lao PDR and Luxembourg of effective Primary Health Care service deliv- started in 1997. ery at district level and Mother and Child Health The specific objective of the previous phase was activities. to “assist the Lao Ministry of Health (MOH) in Special attention will be paid to the development implementing and operationalising its long- of a patient-centered health care approach, and term Health Sector Strategy 2000-2020, Primary to the priority target groups such as pregnant Health Care Strategy and Health Sector Devel- women and children under five-years. opment Plans, emphasising its eight Priority The LL-HSSP II is fully aligned with the Govern- Programmes, with a view to implementing qual- ment of Laos’ recent policy and strategy develop- ity health services for reaching a larger share of ments. Support will be provided: the population, especially the poorest, those at risk, and those living in more remote areas. This • In accordance with the principles included includes ethnic minority people”. in the three-builds decentralisation model (greater autonomy and responsibilities given The second phase of this project will stay in line to the provinces); with that general objective and a specific objec- • In line with the sub-sector strategies and the tive that aims at supporting the implementa- Primary Health Care/district approach adopted tion of the updated sector policy (Health Sector by the MOH; and Reform Framework 2013-2025) with a specific focus on Mother and Child Health, by fostering • In complement to the other development ini- district health systems and actors. tiatives supported by the MOH and its Devel- opment Partners. The Project will have a steady geographical focus Luxembourg contribution: 20,000,000 EUR on the three provinces of Vientiane, Bolikhamxay and Khammouane. It will concentrate on foster-

– 15 – BILATERAL COOPERATION

Strengthening of the Capacity of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Planning and Investment

2014-2016 LAO/028

The project fits in the framework of the capac- and the production of reports is mostly carried ity strengthening and governance priorities out by or with the support of external consultants defined in the 2011-2015 Indicative Cooperation provided by external projects. This leads to a low Programme between Laos and Luxembourg. It appropriation and sustainability of results and is responds to a special request submitted by the limited in terms of building in-house expertise, Lao government to its Luxembourg counterpart. knowledge and skills. It leaves the organisation The project is dedicated to the capacity strength- with insufficient capacities to actually lead ODA ening of institutions in charge of Official Develop- management and coordination processes. ment Assistance (ODA) management. Currently, The project’s overall objective is to contribute to a very small part of the work carried out by the the improvement of development cooperation Department for International Cooperation (DIC) effectiveness in Lao PDR. Its specific objective is at the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to strengthen the DIC’s capacity to manage aid is based on established (written) procedures, effectively, build partnerships and establish effec- models and tools, whether in the administrative tive working practices with national and interna- field, or in the technical field of ODA management tional stakeholders. and coordination. Moreover, substantive work Luxembourg contribution: 800,000 EUR such as the preparation of Round Table Meetings

PARECIDS-Luxembourg-Laos | Partnership for Research and Capacity Building in Infectious Disease Surveillance

2010-2015

In the framework of the PARECIDS programme, entific community. Part of the Lao-Luxembourg a laboratory specialised in infectious diseases has Lab’s research is focusing on dengue and as such been set up at the Pasteur Institute in Vientiane. played an important role in the identification of The programme is implemented by the “Insti- different stereotypes of the virus. tute of Health” of Luxembourg. Support is also PARECIDS II succeeds this first research pro- provided to a team of Lao researchers to allow gramme within the framework of ICP 4. them to further develop their knowledge and to facilitate their integration in the international sci- Luxembourg contribution: 2,237,604 EUR

– 16 – MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

UNICEF/UNFPA/WFP/WHO–Supporting the implemen- tation of the national integrated package of maternal, neonatal and child health services in the Lao PDR

2011-2015

This joint programme implemented by four dif- for MNCH services in selected zones and to ferent UN agencies is formulated around three increase demand as well as utilisation rates of main objectives: these services.

• Support to the Ministry of Health at the To maximise impact of these services and to national as well as subnational level to improve better respond to the needs of the population, its leadership, planning and management in project activities are focusing on 18 districts in 5 the implementation of maternal, neonatal and provinces. child health (MNCH) services; Under ICP 4, Luxembourg continues its support • Improvement of quality of MNCH services to this programme (8,000,000). including nutritional education to address chronic malnutrition; Luxembourg contribution: 8,103,710 EUR • Support to the Ministry of Health to improve community mobilisation and empowerment

ILO/WHO–Supporting the Establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Extension of Coverage in Lao PDR

2011-2015

The third phase of this project is building on elaboration and the adaptation of the national achievements and recommendations of previous legal framework on social security as well as interventions in this sector trying to harmonise building capacity of relevant ministries and insti- and further develop existing systems. The main tutions. Finally a national social security model, objectives of the current phase are the develop- including a support mechanism which could inte- ment of a pilot model which merges the four grate contributions by different donors, should be existing social security schemes and extends its developed. coverage to the most vulnerable groups in one Luxembourg contribution: 1,525,000 EUR district of and support to the

– 17 – MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

UNDP–Realising the MDGs in Lao PDR–Consolidated Programme of Support to MPI for the Achievement of the Valuable Goals of the 7th NSEDP 2011-2015–Support to the Roundtable Process 2012-2015

Since 2007, Luxembourg has been support- cussions at sectorial as well as at national level. ing UNDP in the implementation of the annual It is focusing in particular on the Department for Round Table Meeting which gathers all develop- International Cooperation of the Ministry of Plan- ment actors in Lao PDR with the aim of improv- ning and Investment (MPI), which is in charge of ing donor coordination and aid effectiveness in the organisation of the Roundtable Meeting co- line with the principles of the Paris declaration chaired by the MPI and the UN Resident Coor- and its local version, the Vientiane declaration dinator. on aid effectiveness. More specifically, the pro- Luxembourg also supports this UNDP pro- ject aims to strengthen capacity of the Lao gov- gramme under ICP 4. ernment to manage donor coordination and dis- Luxembourg contribution: 500,000 EUR

UNCDF/UNDP–Strengthening Capacity and Service De- livery of Local Administrations (GPAR–Governance and Public Administration Reform-Project) 2012-2015

The national GPAR programme 2012-2016 marks areas. Main expected result is the improvement of the transition from a series of different projects at policies and capacities of administrations at local national and subnational level towards a national level which allows more efficient services in line programme which is aligned with the National with local priorities and accelerates the progress Socio-economic Development Plan (2011-2015) towards the realisation of the MDGs. Through the which identifies a responsible, efficient, transpar- implementation of district development funds, ent and responsive public administration as an UNCDF supports the construction of small infra- important element in ensuring service delivery structures in the field of education, health or agri- to citizens. The programme has been designed to culture which have been identified by communi- assist the newly created Ministry of Home Affairs in ties through a participatory planning progress. As the realisation of different administrative reforms. such the programme provides a hands-on learning The general objective of the programme is to approach to local authorities in participatory plan- strengthen the capacity of local administrations ning. in service delivery, especially in rural and remote Luxembourg contribution: 775,000 EUR

– 18 – MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

UNDP–Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao)–Phase V

2011-2015

Luxembourg has been financially supporting reduction of UXO contamination as an addi- UXO clearance since 1999 with a total contribu- tional, ninth MDG. tion of 2.732 million USD. The current phase con- The contribution by Luxembourg is used to sup- tinues previous clearance activities focusing on port clearance operations, training and equip- the nine provinces bordering Vietnam. ment of clearance teams, as well as communi- The UXO clearance programme has been identi- cation campaigns on threats posed by UXO and fied by the Lao government in the 7th National the principles of the Oslo Convention on cluster Socio-economic Development Plan as a main munitions. building block in supporting development, espe- This project is again supported by Luxembourg cially in rural areas. In recognition of the con- development cooperation under ICP 4. straints posed by UXO clearance to national development, the Lao government defined the Luxembourg contribution: 750,000 EUR

MRC–Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI)

2010-2015

Luxembourg supports the first five-year phase of Expected results include the drafting of an adap- the Mekong River Commission’s Climate Change tation strategy for the Mekong basin based on Adaptation Initiative which has a long term frame- local mitigation plans and instruments but with work running until 2025 and is divided into three a trans-border and multisectoral approach, the phases. If the target group of the intervention is publication of a report on the effects of climate the population of the Mekong basin in Laos, Thai- change and related adaptation measures on a tri- land, Cambodia and Vietnam, the MRC is based annual basis, strengthened capacities of national in Vientiane and manages the project from Laos. experts and policy makers regarding monitoring, The CCAI has as an objective to contribute to the evaluation and follow-up of mitigation measures attainment of MDG7, ensuring environmental and improved communication on the impacts of sustainability. The programme is implemented climate change. in cooperation with the national Mekong river Luxembourg contribution: 2,145,000 EUR commissions in the four target countries through strengthening their capacities in developing miti- gation plans to the effects of climate change.

– 19 – COOPERATION THROUGH NGOS

NGO Projects

Two Luxembourg NGOs are currently imple- Care in Luxembourg, Aide au développement de menting activities under a framework agreement la santé, Aide internationale de la Croix Rouge with the Directorate for Development Coopera- luxembourgeoise, Fondation Caritas Luxem- tion; namely, Fondation Caritas Luxembourg and bourg, Amitiés Luxembourg-Amérique Latine Handicap International Luxembourg. They sup- a.s.b.l. receive funds to implement specific pro- port two interventions in the field of rural devel- jects in the field of rural development, agricul- opment and health service delivery. ture, the financing of an aquatic resource capture With a co-financing rate of 80% the contribu- facility, disaster prevention and preparation as tion from Luxembourg Development Cooperation well as heart surgery. amounts to 901,404 EUR. With a co-financing rate of 75% the contribu- tion from Luxembourg Development Cooperation amounts to 2,914,020 EUR. Every year, the embassy of Luxembourg in Vienti- ane supports a number of micro-projects contrib- uting up to 15,000 EUR for a maximum period of one year. These micro-projects are implemented by local civil society organisations. Luxembourg contribution: 50,000 EUR per year.

– 20 – HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS

Humanitarian Affairs

Between March 2011 and April 2015, the Fonda- to manage risks linked to natural hazards in the tion Caritas Luxembourg has been carrying out a region. In 2013, the Ministry contributed another risk-reduction project in Laos, a country vulnera- 78,925 EUR to an emergency project combating ble to natural catastrophes. This multiannual pro- food insecurity following the destruction caused ject, co-financed by the Ministry (389,772 EUR), by typhoons Watip and Nari in the Sekong prov- is based on a local community approach, and ince. aims to improve the resilience of the inhabitants Because of the recurring floods in the Kham- of 10 villages comprised in the district of Thath- mouane province, the Luxembourgish Red Cross om, through the promotion of more sustainable benefited from a co-financing of 19,125 EUR from lifestyles and the prevention of catastrophes. At the Ministry in 2012, which allowed them to set the end of the year 2013, the NGO obtained a co- up a three months project reducing the vulner- financing from the Ministry totaling 50,760 EUR ability to catastrophes. The project included the to launch a similar initiative in the Mork district, supply of the provision of generators, motor boats where for one year they worked towards the re- and life-vests to 11 villages. In 2012, the Ministry inforcement of resilience in the face of catastro- also granted 189,786 EUR to another project in phes and the reduction of insecurity in terms of the same province aimed at reinforcing the logis- means of subsistence. In 2013, the Ministry also tical capacities of the local branch of the Lao Red financed one of Fondation Caritas Luxembourg’s Cross in Khammouane, allowing them to improve emergency projects that aimed to restore the liv- their responses to the needs of the most vulner- ing standards of families affected by typhoon Jebi able. through the introduction of alternative agricul- tural methods. Early in 2015, the Ministry launched a joint evalua- tion of these three humanitarian NGOs’ activities Since 2012, Care in Luxembourg organised pre- regarding the reduction of the risks of catastro- vention campaigns and activities co-financed by phes in Laos which were implemented between the Ministry (127,406 EUR), whose objectives fo- 2011 and 2014, and co-financed by the Ministry. cused on improving the capacity of five villages and local authorities of the Dakcheung district

– 21 – – 22 – Contacts

Embassy of the Grand Duchy of LuxDev Vientiane Luxembourg in Hanoi, Vietnam Robert Lauer Geert De Bruycker Ambassador with residence in Bangkok Regional Representative for Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar Q House Lumpini 17th Floor Sandrine Thinnes 1 South Sathorn Road Programme Officer Tungmahamek Sathorn Regional office of Vientiane Bangkok 10120 THAILAND Rue Dongpayna, Email : [email protected] Ban Saphanthong Neua, Tel : (66 2) 677 7360 Fax : (66 2) 677 7364 Vientiane Capital, LAO PDR Claude Jentgen Email: [email protected] Chargé d’affaires a.i. Tel: (856) 21 41 72 37 Thomas Lammar Fax: (856) 21 41 72 47 Attaché Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Laos Rue Dongpayna, Ban Saphanthong Neua, Sisattanak District Vientiane Capital, LAO PDR Email: [email protected] Tel: (856) 21 41 73 20 Fax: (856) 21 41 73 21

Directorate for Development Cooperation LuxDev Headquarters and Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Frédéric Rouffe Geographical Adviser - Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar Peggy Frantzen LuxDev Desk Officer Asia 10, rue de la Grève 6, rue de la Congrégation BP 2273 L - 1352 Luxembourg L - 1022 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG LUXEMBOURG Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: (352) 247 82 449 Tel: (352) 29 58 58 241 Fax: (352) 46 38 42 Fax: (352) 29 58 58 200 www.gouvernement.lu/cooperation

– 23 – Luxembourg Development Cooperation

Edited by

in June 2016

www.cooperation.lu www.facebook.com/MAEE.Luxembourg