India gives US$1 million to Laos

India gives US$1 million to Laos

(KPL) The Indian government has donated more than 8.5 billion kip (US$1 million) to assist victims of the widespread flooding which occurred in Laos in August.
The sum was presented to the government on Wednesday at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane.
Indian Ambassador to Laos, Mr Suresh K. Goel, presented a cheque of US$1 million to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Thongloun Sisoulith, on behalf of the Lao government.
Dr Thongloun expressed thanks to the Indian government and people for their kind support.
The money will be allocated to flood relief projects by the National Disaster Prevention Committee, which operates under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
More than 178,000 people, from 679 villages in eight provinces have been affected by the flooding in August. About 40,000 ha of rice fields were also damaged. Billions of kip have been donated by domestic and international donors to assist flood victims.
Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh pledged the donation during a state visit to India by Lao President Choummaly Sayasone on August 26-30.
The visit was in response to an invitation from Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.