USAID seeks to develop community resources for people with disabilities. The program addresses the rehabilitative requirements at the district and community level, and also the social and economic aspects through promotion of income generation activities, advocacy, awareness, educational and vocational opportunities, and integration into community life for people with disabilities.
USAID aims to strengthen inclusive education in Laos at both the policy and classroom levels to ensure that children with disabilities are able to attend and achieve in school. Working with teachers and administrators in primary and preschools, the program assists the development of inclusive education resources and local expertise, strengthens community networks to support inclusive education, and promotes advocacy to increase social awareness.
Bridge construction began on March 21, 2004. Supports and spans were constructed on shore, then moved out onto pylons in the river by crane.
On 22 July 2005, at about 4.45pm a crane being used to airlift concrete slabs for installation suddenly snapped. It dropped one span into the river, instantly killing Hiroshi Tanaka, 49, the Japanese chief engineer; as well as two other Japanese engineers identified as Oanoki and Yanase; three Thai named Preeda Muangkhot, Sinual Noyphan and Anon Samphaokaew; and six Lao men identified as Keo-oudon Phonthita, Kaew Vanvisay, Veelavong, Kanya and Viengsamay. Keo-oudon, who was seriously injured, died in hospital. Strong river currents swept away two Japanese engineers, Nidoru Tanadu, 34, and Hanaka, 40; a Filipino engineer identified as Frederick "Tom" Napasa, 38; three Thai identified as Thong-on Thongmaha, 29, Cherdsak Inthasen, 30 and Set Chairap, 29; and two other workers identified only as Lao and Thai.[2]
The total cost was about 2.5 billion baht (US$70 million), funded largely by a Japanese loan.[3]An official opening ceremony was held on December 19, 2006, although the bridge only opened to the general public on January 9, 2007.
Lao-Vietnamese localities step up cooperation
(KPL) Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Thanh Hoa People�s Committee, Mr. Trinh Van Chien, led a delegation to visit Houaphanh province of Laos on February 21-23.
Chien held talks with Houaphanh province Party Committee Secretary and governor Khamhoung Heuangvongsy, during which both parties reviewed and spoke highly of cooperation activities between 2006-2010, especially in economy, culture, society, security and defence.
They also agreed upon the contents and joint cooperation plan from now to 2015.
On the occasion, Chien and his Laotian counterpart attended the opening ceremony of Houaphanh province�s political and administrative school funded by Thanh Hoa province.
Houaphanh province also received 410,000 USD of grant aid from the Ho Chi Minh City People�s Committee to build four bridges to facilitate transport links in this northeastern province.
