VIENTIANE, June 25, (Xinhua):  Lao authorities are partnering with development partners to ensure year-round access to safe and sustainable water in remote and climate-vulnerable areas, supporting national goals for water security, public health, and climate resilience. Laos' Ministry of Health and CARE International in Laos signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to expand access to safe and sustainable water in vulnerable communities in northern Laos' Phongsaly province.

The five-year project will benefit about 14,658 people in 15 communities across two districts of Phongsaly, some 750 km north of the Lao capital Vientiane. It aims to provide year-round access to clean drinking water for every household by developing sustainable, locally appropriate water supply systems and strengthening community capacity to manage and maintain them over time.

In addition to infrastructure, the initiative will introduce climate-resilient strategies, including community-led forest and watershed protection efforts to preserve water sources. It will also strengthen local knowledge, governance, and technical skills at both village and district levels. The project also aims to support long-term water security, public health, and environmental sustainability.