Laos raises
funds for disaster victims
The Lao government held a
concert at Lao-ITECC in Vientiane on Sunday to raise
funds for victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and the
earthquake in China.
Standing Deputy Prime
Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, ministers, senior officials
and business community attended the gala dinner. Mr
Somsavat, who is also President of the Fundraising
Committee to assist victims of the recent natural
disasters in Myanmar and China, was presented with funds
raised by various government and private organisations.
More than 700 million kip
and US$100,000 of donations were raised between May 15
and 25.
The Ministry of Labour and
Social Welfare is continuing to accept donations from
government departments, private companies and members of
the public at the ministry's office.
Last Sunday the government
organised a golf tournament at the Km 14 and 6 golf
courses to raise funds for victims of the devastating
natural disasters.
“Today, the people of Laos
have displayed their generous spirit and have shown we
are ready to help neighbouring countries in times of
need,” said Mr Somsavat.
“Laos has friendly
relations with Myanmar and China that extend well into
the past,” he said.
The number of people killed
or missing after the two disasters totals more than
80,000, with more than 300,000 people injured, according
to Mr Somsavat.
