Description
Help people like Onchan, who are living in poverty with a disability, to overcome social isolation and discrimination, by supporting key initiatives to help build a more inclusive and equitable community.
Laos is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. A third of the population is currently living below the international poverty line (living on less than US$1.25 per day). Over two-thirds of the population live rurally and the poverty rate in rural areas is almost three times that of urban areas. In 2022, the country ranked 139th on the Human Development Index, indicating low-medium development. According to the Global Hunger Index (2024), Laos has a low life expectancy rate of 66 years for men and 70 years for women. Lao PDR demonstrates worsening structural gender disparities, dropping from a rank of 36th in 2021 to 89th in 2024 in the Global Gender Gap Report.
THE NEED
Adults and children with disabilities are amongst the most marginalised people in Laos, facing higher levels of poverty and other social inequalities due to multiple barriers faced in all aspects of their lives. National census data reports the number of people with disabilities as 2.8% of Laos’s total population, a much lower figure than international benchmarks would suggest (15%). There has been a commitment made by the government of Laos to mainstream disability into basic, core services, including; inclusive education, health insurance schemes and the poverty reduction programme. However, the government faces significant challenges in working towards that commitment, largely due to a lack of capacity and resourcing.
WHAT YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT CAN HELP FUND
- Supporting self-representation and advocacy of people with disabilities to advocate for their rights.
- Building inclusive, resilient, equitable communities in selected districts of Luang Prabang.
- Supporting the establishment of Self-help Groups (SHGs) to strengthen livelihoods.
- Improved access to healthcare to ensure people with disabilities can participate in their communities and livelihoods.
Your gifts continue to be multiplied x4 by match-funding from Aotearoa New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation Programme!