At a glance: Lao People's Democratic Republic

The big picture

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This map does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers.

After two decades of isolation from the outside world, the Lao People's Democratic Republic is enjoying peace and stabilizing its political and economic structures. It is characterized by a high degree of geographic, cultural and linguistic diversity. The country's rich traditions survive, including respect for cultural and religious beliefs and practices and utilization of consensus in decision-making.

The first constitution since 1975 was promulgated in August 1991. It reaffirmed the monopoly of the LPRP on political power as well as the goal of a market-oriented economy. Restated in the Sixth Congress (1996), the Party has sole responsibility to lead the country and the government under the Constitution.

In July 1997, Laos became a member of Asean. Lao is considered a least developed country, with a population estimated at 5 million. Lao has made significant progress in guaranteeing children their rights to survival. However, there is still much to be attained in terms of the other rights of children at the critical stages of their lives.

UNICEF priorities

UNICEF will aim at helping to achieve the Government's 2020 goals of reducing the infant mortality rate, under-five mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and malnutrition. It will continue to support health policy development; the national immunization programme, including vaccine supply; the control of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections; improved breastfeeding practices; nutrition; and safe motherhood.

Health and nutrition information brought into the home will be central to the professional efforts to improve village attitudes about child growth and development. A key feature will be to help parents better measure their children’s' growth and development. The programme of cooperation will place a renewed emphasis on women's health issues and health promotion. Malaria, the leading cause of death, will receive added emphasis. UNICEF will work closely with the Government and other development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFP), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (AsDB), the European Union (EU) and the Save the Children Alliance.

In the area of early childhood, the capacity of caregivers and community members to integrate and use new and existing knowledge related to child care and "readiness" for school, including a gender component, will be increased. In the schools, access to and the provision of quality education will be improved by building the capacity of staff at all levels to develop and implement "child-centred" curricula and to encourage the participation of parents and communities in their children's learning. The likely partners include the World Bank, AsDB, the Australian Agency for International Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme, Save the Children Alliance, Catholic Relief Services, Church World Service, World Education and Ecoles sans frontières (Schools without Borders).

Childhood diarrhoea is still the second highest cause of child mortality in the country. The school sanitation component will be the flagship of action for behaviour change and will create awareness among teachers, children and their parents about hygiene, water, sanitation and health, using hand-washing as a key to reducing mortality and morbidity. UNICEF will work closely with international NGOs, UNDP, the World Bank, WHO and others.

Trafficking, sexual exploitation, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, dangers from unexploded ordnance (UXO) and disability; prevention and early interventions at family and community levels; the promotion of more responsive and inclusive basic social services, rescue, recovery and reintegration; and improving justice for children.

Advocacy about the vulnerability and exploitation of girls and boys as distinct groups, where appropriate, will focus on raising community awareness concerning the potential dangers for children/youth and on young peoples' participation in the development and dissemination of this information. Strategies will support the Regional Strategic Framework for Child Protection. UNICEF will work with the Government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help develop the juvenile justice system and services for the provision of adequate care, counselling and protective measures for youth, children and their families. UNICEF will also cooperate closely with members of the Save the Children Alliance and other NGOs, such as Handicap International, as well as with UNDP, the International Labour Organization/International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour and the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention.