War Victims' Assistance Project, Lao People's Democratic Republic

War Victims' Assistance Project Project Brief (33kb)

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Since 1995, World Learning, in conjunction with Consortium partner World Education, has implemented the War Victims Assistance Project (WVAP) in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). The overall goal of the project is to reduce the impact of unexploded ordinance (land mines, bombs, and artillery shells) accidents on the lives of residents of the four target provinces of Xieng Khouang, Houaphan, Savannakhet and Saravanne through increased education programs and improved medical care.

The medical component focuses on developing the capacity of provincial health authorities to organize, manage, and sustain a network of secondary and tertiary medical/surgical facilities that can competently manage unexploded ordinance accidents and other emergency trauma situations. It also targets improving the capacity of the central-level institutions that train provincial personnel in emergency room care and medical/surgical techniques. Equipment and supplies are also being provided.

The education component of the project aims to decrease the number of accidents to schoolchildren and to children under the age of 15. Educational programs are provided on safety related to unexploded ordinance. The curriculum was developed by the project and is being implemented in schools with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education. The project trains teachers in the use of the curriculum. The curriculum uses textbooks designed by the project as well as a number of different teaching methodologies. Textbooks and training materials have been adapted, updated and revised through the life of the project.

The initial project was designed for an 18-month period, was extended until 2000, but has since then been additionally extended to 2003. WVAP has, since its inception, developed an organizational and management structure to operate at the provincial level. All committees and technical working groups are functioning in their desired roles with the support of the project. The project has conducted multiple training programs for provincial and district health personnel. Using the training of trainers model, trainers are chosen at district level to participate in training at Mahosot and Friendship hospitals in Vientiane. Over 2300 teachers have been trained and, in the past school year, training has been reaching more remote schools. Moreover, other unexploded ordinance affected provinces are now developing their unexploded ordinance curriculum on the War Victims Project model. Successful future transfer of responsibility is also anticipated, especially in Xieng Khouang and Houaphan.

Partners: USAID
World Education

Project: Cooperative Agreement
1995. 2004
Lao PDR

Mar	APR	May
	06
2003	2004	2005