VIENTIANE, Lao PDR, 13 May 2021— To support the Government of Lao’s COVID-19 response, UNFPA and Lao Youth Union (LYU) have set up telephone helplines to provide mental health and psychosocial support to adolescents and young people. In order to further strengthen the youth focused COVID-19 response, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Lao PDR provided materials to LYU today for prevention of COVID-19 among young people.

The materials will help protect staff in 18 provinces. The material 400 boxes of surgical face masks, 200 bottles of hand sanitizer and 50 pieces of thermometers. These items will be distributed further to LYU networks in provinces and rural areas. While the LYU is fully respecting Government lockdown, some essential work requires LYU staff to be in public spaces.

“We thank UNFPA for their contribution to strengthen youth focused response to COVID-19. Our work is continuing despite the pandemic. Adequate prevention materials will protect our staff and volunteers from the virus. It will keep them safe so they can continue serving and responding to the needs of young people.,” said Mr. Alounxay Sounnalath, Secretary-General of LYU.

UNFPA Laos and LYU work closely with the Noi approach to empower adolescents and young people. As part of this cooperation youth situation analysis was conducted and the first ever National Youth and Adolescent Development Strategy has been developed focusing on education, health, employment, protection and participation on young people. The cooperation also consists of campaign and outreach activities at schools, communities, quarantine centers and providing a platform to young people to take action on the issue affecting them and  share their views with policy makers. Last year, LYU, in collaboration with UNFPA and the Ministry of Health also launched Noi Yakhoo mobile app to provide reproductive and sexual health information to adolescents and young people through mobile phones. Over 5,000 adolescents and young people have downloaded this app and accessed information on sexual and reproductive health.

Mariam Khan, the Representative of UNFPA Laos said, “UNFPA partnership with LYU supports youth to engage as active citizens, the support to staff and volunteers to carry out their youth focused COVID19 response activities safely and responsibly is part of these efforts.” “We will continue to work in partnership with LYU to ensure young people stay safe and continue to access information, services, and support they need. And we will continue to work closely with LYU to address issues concerning adolescents and youth in Laos,” she added.

Adolescents and young people who need support to discuss any form of domestic violence or abuse can call: 1362.

Young people who have any issues surrounding stress, anxiety, life, love, and relationships can call: 1554 and call/whatsapp one of these numbers: 97721042 - 55774438 - 23999629 for information and counseling.

Information and advice for young people on sexual and reproductive health is available at hotlines 1361 for women and 137 for men.

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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

For more information please contact:

Miss Phetmany Viyadeth,

National Communication Consultant UNFPA Lao PDR

Email: viyadeth@unfpa.org