CHAINS OF HOPEBUILDING AN INFRASTRUCTURE OUT OF IRON AND CONCRETE

Alyssa Lester, Renee Salem, Sierra Loya, Miryam Zakaria

7th Period

Who We

Are“The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency that provides economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world in support of the foreign policy goals of the United States.”

USAid decided to undergo further relations with Laos after it was reported one of the poorest countries in Asia in 2009. Thus, the plan to build a stronger infrastructure was initially developed.

A QUICK PEEK

Laos- (Lao People's Democratic Republic) is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It borders Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar (Burma). Like many of its bordering countries it has a tropical climate.• The Capital of Laos is Vientiane• The highest mountain in Phou Bia, which is located in the

Xiangkhouang Province. It stands at 2818 meters, or 9,249 feet.

• The Major River in Laos is The Makong River. This river is the main waterway of Laos, and connects Laos to it's neighboring countries. Laos gets approximately 1,700mm of rain annually. Its rainy season lasts from early May till Late September. Lao, like many of its surrounding Asian countries is prone to Monsoons.

• The main resources of Laos are clothing, timber, coffee, gold, copper & electricity.  G

EO

GR

AP

HY

HISTORY &

CULTURE

• Laos has struggled throughout the past two centuries with having a steady government.

• It has been ruled by multiple countries, including the French, Vietnamese, and the Soviets. 

• Domestic violence and war with Vietnam (allied with Thailand) dominated most of the 20th century. 

• It wasn’t until 1991 when Laos created its own Constitution.

• Currently, the country is split politically between democracy and communism

• The people of Laos speak Lao, the official language, French, and English.

• Over half of the population is Buddhist.

• There are approximately 6.5 million people in Laos.

•  Laotians celebrate many holidays that are Buddhist, International, and National.

ECONOMICS

• Laos is considered one of the poorest countries in the Asia.

• Its major industries include mining, garment making, and agricultural production. 

• Most citizens live off of subsistence farming.

 GDP Per Capita: $2,400Inflation Rate: 6.2% Unemployment Rate:2.2%GINI Coefficient: 36.7

HUMANITARIAN 

The Nam Theun 2 Project began in 2008 after a flood covered multiple roads in Laos. It’s goal is to eliminate the water by building a watershed so that civilians can once again travel.

• The Department of Roads of Ministry has developed a plan to create national roads. International communities will help by funding the mobilization of the projected roads.

• Some projects still under construction include: • Road No.  2W- 91%, • Road No. 15B- 49%, • Mekong river bridge- 40%, • Road No. 2E -31%,

THE

The foreign and domestic trade in Laos is at a minimum.

Laos lacks proper infrastructure.

ISSUE

Out of the 41 airports, only 9 have paved roads.

Only 3 km of railway has been constructed (Dongposy-Thanalang).

It is one of the only countries in the world that does not have a major railwaysystem connecting it to other countries.

OUR

• The main plan is to build Laos' transportation systems:o Fully paved roadso Pavements for airportso Railway systems 

PLAN

• To achieve this plan Laos will need:o Labor, which will be provided by the citizens of

Laos o Supplies, which will be donated by USAido A contract with Vietnam and China, for the

railway system from Phongsali, Laos to Vietnam to Hong Kong, China. 

FURTHER

• Estimated Project Cost: $25 Billion• Estimated Time: 15 years

• There will be a development staff run by USAid called the Laotian Developmental Transportation Unit (LDTU) that will check on the progress and success of the project every two years until the ten years are completed. 

• At the end of the ten years, the LDTU will evaluate the project as a whole and determine whether or not the project was a success.

Details

BENEFITS

Jobs for constructionCreate many modes oftransportationHelp boost health, because

peoplecan get to hospitals faster

• Will boost foreign market

• Will help domestic trade

• Increase overall GDP

FOR WHAT

Overall, Laos' infrastructure will increase if these modes of transportation are improved. People will be more interested in trading and visiting Laos,

which has always been a more unwelcoming place to visitors due to unfriendly traveling conditions. By building roads, improving runways, and

adding railroads, new doors can be opened. New opportunities can be brought to the people of Laos, opportunities that they would of never had

before. The lures of the beautiful forests and environment could make Laos a great place for ecotourism. Vientiane could rejoice in the splendor it

once had many years ago as it grows into an Asian hot spot. Plus, people would have more access to the amenities that Laos has to offer to the

world, such as gold, electricity; the possibilities are endless.

IT’SWORTH

Works Cited

"Laos: How the Nam Theun 2 Dam Is Managed during Flood Events | Making Development     Work for All." Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://blogs.worldbank.org/eastasiapacific/node/2960>"Lao People’s Democratic Republic Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity." Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://www.undplao.org/official%20docs/2011/Abridged%20version_14_Oct_2010_NSEDP%20VII_combined%20_Eng_PDF.pdf>.Oraboune, Syviengxay. "Infrastructure (Rural Road) Development and Poverty Alleviation in Lao PD." Apr. 2008. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://ir.ide.go.jp/dspace/bitstream/2344/747/3/ARRIDE_Discussion_No.151_orabone.pdf>.