Building resilience of urban populations with ecosystem-based solutions in Lao PDR

Strengthening the natural capacity of ecosystems to regulate water flows and limiting the exposure of local populations in vulnerable areas to climate effects. 

Cities in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) are among the most vulnerable areas to flooding in South-East Asia, causing annual economic losses of around 3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).  Much of the cost of flood recovery is borne by households, constituting a large percentage of their disposable incomes. 

The project aims to test an alternative approach to flood control in urban Laos, moving away from a traditional focus on grey infrastructure, such as dams and concrete drainage systems. It will implement ecosystem-based adaptation in urban areas. One of the first examples of this adaptation approach in developing countries, it could serve as a model for other nations facing similar climate challenges.

This project was initially submitted to the GCF Secretariat under the ‘Project Approval Process’ modality and was resubmitted under the ‘Simplified Approval Process’ prior to GCF Board approval. The timeline indicated on this page reflects this change from the original submission.