Access to water for the village of CHOM ONG

Laos is the poorest country in Southeast Asia and is among the least developed countries according to the United Nations. Despite its economic growth over the past fifteen years, 651% of the population still lives in rural areas, often in precarious conditions. Regarding access to water, Laos' national strategic objectives aim to ensure the sustainability of water supplies and infrastructure in rural areas, improve the health and socio-economic impact of access to drinking water and sanitation services, reduce morbidity and mortality rates, and decrease infection rates, particularly among women and children.

In the province of Oudomxay, the project area, 671 households have access to a water source near their homes. In the village of Chom Ong, the inhabitants are largely self-sufficient. They produce rice and maize and raise some livestock. They use river water for household chores, but access is very limited; they must travel to the PhaTob River, located a few hundred meters from the village, which is now almost dry and highly contaminated.

The Peoples and Mountains of the Mekong association is undertaking a water supply project in the commune, which will ease the workload of the women and girls in the village. The objective is twofold: to provide clean drinking water and to establish good hygiene practices to improve the health of the inhabitants.