Author : Xayxana Bounxou

Summary : The study analysed the community organizing for flood risk reduction in Xieng Ngeun District, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Specifically, the study aimed to (1) describe the socio-economic characteristics of the households and the geographic condition of the affected communities; 2) identify the political and institutional agents in the affected communities; 3) discuss the community organizing activities/efforts toward flood risk reduction in the affected communities; 4) analyze community organizing done for flood disaster risk reduction and management (FDRRM) in the affected communities; and 5) develop a community organizing framework for FDRRM for Lao PDR. Pakvaed and Xieng Ngeun, two villages in the district, were chosen as study sotes on the basis of their proximity to the Nam Khan River that make them highly vulnerable to flooding and their being vastly devastated by the August 8, 2012 disaster flooding. From these villages, 90 respondents were randomly chosen to answer the structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used in the analysis of the data. The study also used key informant interview using guide questions, focus group discussions, and desk review of relevant secondary documents. The respondents are dominantly male, adult, with primary education, married, landholders and economically comfortable. Most of them have extended families and stable sources of income as farmers and entrepreneurs. The august 8, 2012 flood had no adverse impact on their livelihoods and income. Their villages are flood-prone. Support agencies (LGUs, NGOs and the line agencies) are available to assist the villages of Vieng Ngeun and Pakvated on disaster flooding. However, they perceived themselves as available but of fully ready and competent in terms of knowledge and skills to assist the villagers. The support agencies as community organizers do not involve the local people in problem identification and analysis. They implement programs or activities that they bring with them- a distinction of top-down process. At the household and community levels, the respondents are nearly prepared for a flood disaster but still lack the necessary survival tools and equipment and coping mechanisms. At the institutional level, the support agencies are not adequately flood disaster risk-informed and skilled thus affecting the community's preparedness on flooding. The study proposed a community organizing for FDRRM framework that is peculiar in the political and socio-cultural context of Lao PDR and acknowledge the need for guidelines as well as resources and facilitators from outside and the local community.