Laos Launches ALERT-LAO to Boost Pandemic Preparedness

The Lao government has launched a new project, ALERT-LAO, to bolster its pandemic preparedness, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Funded by a US$17.59 million grant from the Pandemic Fund, ALERT-LAO – Advancing Lao PDR's Pandemic Response and Transformation – will invest in integrated disease surveillance and early warning systems, laboratory capacity, workforce development in the One Health sector, risk prevention measures, and an enabling policy environment across all 18 provinces. This grant has also served as a catalyst for co-investment, leveraging US$91.6 million in domestic resources and US$14.6 million in co-financing from international partners. "This project reflects our commitment to protecting the health of the Lao people through stronger, more coordinated systems. ALERT-LAO will help us close critical gaps in early warning and laboratory capacity so that Lao PDR is better prepared for future health threats," said Mrs. Baykham Khattiya, Minister of Health. Ms Priya Basu, Executive Director of the Pandemic Fund, stated, "Today marks an important milestone in the Lao PDR’s journey to build stronger defenses against future pandemics. Through a US$17.6 million Pandemic Fund grant, we are proud to support the Government of Lao PDR, working alongside our implementing entities, FAO and UNICEF, to strengthen surveillance, laboratory systems, and the One Health workforce. Just as importantly, this investment has catalyzed an additional US$14.6 million in external co-financing and US$91.6 million in domestic co-investment—demonstrating the power of partnership and country leadership. Together, we are helping build resilient systems that will protect lives, strengthen regional health security, and ensure the Lao PDR is better prepared for future health threats." Mrs. Chanthakhone Boualaphanh, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment, added, "Protecting human health also requires us to protect animal health, environmental health and the safety and resilience of our food systems. Through ALERT-LAO, we will strengthen animal disease surveillance, veterinary and laboratory services, environmental monitoring and coordination across sectors so that potential threats can be identified and managed as early as possible." The project adopts a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, and will also strengthen multisectoral coordination, risk communication, community engagement, and digital data-sharing across sectors. "Pandemic threats begin quietly – where people, animals and the environment meet. As the two Implementing Entities, FAO and UNICEF are proud to support the Government of Lao PDR in building one connected system – stronger surveillance, better laboratories and a trained One Health workforce – so that when the next threat emerges, the response is fast enough to protect every child and every community," said Mr. Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani, UNICEF Representative in Lao PDR, speaking on behalf of the two Implementing Entities, FAO and UNICEF. The launch event, held in Vientiane Capital, brought together around 165 representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, provincial authorities, Embassies, implementing and delivery partners, private sectors, and development partners. Implemented under the leadership of the Government of Lao PDR, with FAO and UNICEF as Implementing Entities, alongside a wide range of delivery partners, the initiative will also benefit from strategic and technical guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO). This aims to reinforce collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors and translate the One Health approach into stronger preparedness and response at both provincial and national levels.