Lao PDR Launches Groundbreaking Climate Health Resilience Initiative

The Lao PDR Ministry of Health (MoH), in partnership with Save the Children International (SCI) Laos and the World Health Organization (WHO), is set to launch Lao PDR’s first climate-resilient health system initiative, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This five-year project aims to benefit over a quarter of the country's population.

Yesterday, Director General of the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Lao PDR Ministry of Health, Dr  Phonepaseuth Xayamongkhoun and Save the Children Laos Country Director Luke Ebbs signed the project Memorandum of Understanding, joined by WHO Representative to Lao PDR Dr Timothy Armstrong.

Strengthening Climate Resilience of the Lao PDR Health System Project, principally funded by the Green Climate Fund through Save the Children Australia with co-financing from Save the Children US, the Government of Lao PDR, and WHO, aims to enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of the country’s health system across seven provinces. With children being among the most vulnerable to climate-related health risks—including dengue fever, diarrheal diseases, and malnutrition due to extreme weather events affecting crops, habitats, and water and sanitation systems—the project seeks to provide targeted interventions to protect their well-being.

Over the next five years, the project will support 100 health facilities and 250 communities, strengthening healthcare workers' capacity to address climate-related health risks, improving climate-resilient and energy-efficient health infrastructure for 79 health facilities, and raising public awareness of climate change’s impact on health. It will also empower communities to identify health and climate priorities, expand climate-informed early warning and disease response systems, and improve healthcare access for over 1.8 million people in highly climate-vulnerable rural areas.

The Green Climate Fund’s Chief Investment Officer Henry Gonzalez said:

 ‘This project adopts a comprehensive approach to strengthening the climate resilience of Lao PDR’s health system. GCF investment supports better governance, more useful and usable health information systems, and, critically, the delivery of better health services for communities across the country.’

Director General of the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Lao PDR Ministry of Health, Dr Phonepaseuth Xayamongkhoun said:

“Supported by the Green Climate Fund, the Ministry of Health and Save the Children International are collaborating on an initiative to strengthen health system leadership, improve access to climate and health data, enhance capacity in vulnerable districts, and empower communities to respond to climate-related health challenges. This project aims to build a more robust and responsive health system, better protecting the population from the increasing impacts of climate change.”

Nick Ireland, Director - Climate Change at Save the Children said:

 "This is another pioneering project in our partnership with the Green Climate Fund.  Working with our partners in Lao PDR, the project will improve health infrastructure and empower communities to build a climate-resilient future for their children. By focusing on the most vulnerable, we can ensure that no child is left behind in the fight against climate change."

Save the Children Laos CD, Luke Ebbs said:

“This project is a vital step toward protecting children and communities from the growing health impacts of climate change. By strengthening climate-resilient healthcare systems, we are ensuring a healthier, safer future for the most vulnerable in Laos. We also call for greater collaboration in empowering child- and women-led climate action in the health sector to drive lasting and inclusive impacts.”

WHO Representative in Lao PDR, Dr Timothy Armstrong said:

“The climate crisis is a health crisis; health in Lao PDR and the health system are highly vulnerable to a changing climate, including floods, drought, and extreme weather. This project is crucial, addressing the diverse health impacts of climate change and providing critical resources to protect healthcare facilities and communities. It will ensure the health and well-being of current and future generations.”

This is Save the Children’s third project (among 7 approved project) with the Green Climate Fund and first in Asia-Pacific, following the launch of major climate resilience and adaptation programs in Solomon Islands in July 2023 and Vanuatu in May 2022.

This important project will be implemented in partnership with the Lao PDR Ministry of Health (Department of Health and Hygiene Promotion), WHO and partner health facilities and communities following extensive consultations with stakeholders.