General

Lao PDR is a water rich country, benefitting from the water resources of the Mekong River, tributaries and many smaller water bodies that contribute greatly to national economic development and the livelihoods of local communities. While water demand remains low in terms of per-capita public consumption, in recent years, water resources have gained greater prominence due to the increasing role of hydropower and irrigation in economic development. Largescale construction of dams on the Mekong River and tributaries is expected to impact the hydrological profile and biodiversity of these systems and exacerbate the impact of projected climate change trends related to the flow regimes and by altering processes of erosion and sediment deposition. The total annual water flow in Lao PDR is estimated at 270 billion meters – equivalent to 35% of the average annual flow of the entire Mekong River Basin. Although classified as a low risk (89) on the global Climate Risk Index Lao PDR remains vulnerable primarily to hydrometeorological hazards. Seasonal flooding is common within the eight river basins across the country. Most vulnerable areas are the low-lying flood plains along the Mekong River and its major tributaries in the northern, central and southern regions. The majority of the population resides in rural areas with 72% (in 2015) of the working population employed in the agriculture sector. Poverty is concentrated in remote and rural areas, particularly those inhabited by ethnic communities. Predicted change in climate include increased rain fall of 10-30% andincreased frequency and intensity of extreme weather (floods and droughts). The Mekong and Sekong river basins are prone to regularflooding, exacerbated by deforestation and land degradation due toagricultural practices. Lao PDR has transitioned from a primarily disaster response approach to a risk management approach with the establishment of the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee (NDPCC) and the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) with the National Disaster Management Office acting as the Secretariat. A Department of Disaster Management and Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) wasalso established by decree in 2013. DRM structures at sub-national levels include Provincial Disaster Prevention and Control Committees (PDPCCs) district equivalents (DDPCCs) and at the village level, Village Disaster Prevention Units (VDPU). VDPUs act as the interface between communities and the government system and include representatives of community-based organizations (CBOs), traditional leaders and other community actors. Oxfam has extensive experience in working with these structures including for participatory vulnerability assessments and planning and linking these to the formal DRM structures. Key challenges include resourcing to the DRM structures, coordination between agencies and the need to integrate DRM approaches into development planning given the socio-economic needs in remote areas. Community-participatory DRM approaches are priorities to bridge the gap between formal and informal structures and in recognition of the challenges of service delivery in remote communities. Gender: Despite a policy environment that promotes genderequality (Law on Development and Protection of Women 2004 and Law on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Children 2014) and an overall decrease in the inequality gap between women and men; women are still less likely to attain secondary education compared to men, are less likely to be literate compared to men and due to early marriage are more likely to drop out of school. During disasters women, particularly those from ethnic minorities, are disproportionately impacted partly because theyare more likely to operate in the informal economy, have less access to social protection systems and experience increased exposure to gender-based violence. Traditional beliefs and social norms limit the role women play outside the home and this also extends to DRM structures and practices where the perspectives of women and the role they can play may not be realised unless specific steps are taken. Riverine community vulnerability: Across the country communities in rural areas reliant on agricultural, fisheries and forest resource have heightened vulnerability to recurring hydro-meteorological disasters such as floods, drought, storms, land erosion, earthquakes and pandemics due to the increasing impact of climate change. Vulnerability is not evenwith women, ethnic minorities and remote communities considered more vulnerable. The increasing unpredictability of rain fall and flood patterns that irrigate fields, replenish fisheries and nurture forest and wetlands challenge traditional systems and practices require other forms of information and support to adapt livelihoods reliant on these resources and reduce the impact of extreme weather events. This requires strengthening ofcommunity capacity to understand and assess these changes and impact atthelocal level including the differential impact on women and other social groups; and to collectively plan inclusive strategies to adapt current livelihood practices and strategies while at the same time continuing their day-to-day smart livelihood activities. Local authority capacity: At the local level where policy meets implementation, there are key gaps particularly related to the interface between communities and formal DRM committees at the commune/local authority levels. The integration of investment in DRM and CCA into cyclical local development planning is a key gap despite existing policies that promote community-based approaches. This is largely due to competing priorities at this level and the need for meaningful participatory approachesto be effective that are often beyond the skill set, experience, and time availability/priorities of officials at this level. The integration of community perspectives and analysis into local development planning is also hindered by traditional top-down governmental approaches reflecting power differentials related to resources, roles and social hierarchy including gendered attitudes, norms, and behaviours. Access to data/information: Laos has invested in data gathering and dissemination systems for DRM using a range of hydro-meteorological data sources including rain and river gauges, remote sensing, and weather forecasting technology such as radar and satellite imagery. Delivery systems include pilot warning announcement via mobile messages, installationofloudspeakers at districts and villages, construction of flood protection barrier and warning systems, and various data sharing platforms targeting local DRM committees and riverine communities directly. Understanding what data is available, collected by whom and the social-political factors determining availability, accessibility, useability, and timeliness of data (includinggender, ethnicity, location etc) is of key importance as is incorporation of local and traditional knowledge and experience to inform how the data is used. The Strengthening Climate Resilience (SCR) project seeks to strengthen the resilience of communities living along the Mekong River and tributaries to impacts of climate change. This project builds upon Oxfam and partners’ existing work. SCR will work with riverine communities representing some of the most vulnerable in Luang Prabang and Champasak provinces. Specific communities are also selected based on Oxfam’s understanding of needs, and on existing relationships with projectpartners under the ongoing Inclusion Project Phase II (IP2).

General

Lao PDR is a water rich country, benefitting from the water resources of the Mekong River, tributaries and many smaller water bodies that contribute greatly to national economic development and the livelihoods of local communities. While water demand remains low in terms of per-capita public consumption, in recent years, water resources have gained greater prominence due to the increasing role of hydropower and irrigation in economic development. Largescale construction of dams on the Mekong River and tributaries is expected to impact the hydrological profile and biodiversity of these systems and exacerbate the impact of projected climate change trends related to the flow regimes and by altering processes of erosion and sediment deposition. The total annual water flow in Lao PDR is estimated at 270 billion meters – equivalent to 35% of the average annual flow of the entire Mekong River Basin. Although classified as a low risk (89) on the global Climate Risk Index Lao PDR remains vulnerable primarily to hydrometeorological hazards. Seasonal flooding is common within the eight river basins across the country. Most vulnerable areas are the low-lying flood plains along the Mekong River and its major tributaries in the northern, central and southern regions. The majority of the population resides in rural areas with 72% (in 2015) of the working population employed in the agriculture sector. Poverty is concentrated in remote and rural areas, particularly those inhabited by ethnic communities. Predicted change in climate include increased rain fall of 10-30% andincreased frequency and intensity of extreme weather (floods and droughts). The Mekong and Sekong river basins are prone to regularflooding, exacerbated by deforestation and land degradation due toagricultural practices. Lao PDR has transitioned from a primarily disaster response approach to a risk management approach with the establishment of the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee (NDPCC) and the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) with the National Disaster Management Office acting as the Secretariat. A Department of Disaster Management and Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) wasalso established by decree in 2013. DRM structures at sub-national levels include Provincial Disaster Prevention and Control Committees (PDPCCs) district equivalents (DDPCCs) and at the village level, Village Disaster Prevention Units (VDPU). VDPUs act as the interface between communities and the government system and include representatives of community-based organizations (CBOs), traditional leaders and other community actors. Oxfam has extensive experience in working with these structures including for participatory vulnerability assessments and planning and linking these to the formal DRM structures. Key challenges include resourcing to the DRM structures, coordination between agencies and the need to integrate DRM approaches into development planning given the socio-economic needs in remote areas. Community-participatory DRM approaches are priorities to bridge the gap between formal and informal structures and in recognition of the challenges of service delivery in remote communities. Gender: Despite a policy environment that promotes genderequality (Law on Development and Protection of Women 2004 and Law on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Children 2014) and an overall decrease in the inequality gap between women and men; women are still less likely to attain secondary education compared to men, are less likely to be literate compared to men and due to early marriage are more likely to drop out of school. During disasters women, particularly those from ethnic minorities, are disproportionately impacted partly because theyare more likely to operate in the informal economy, have less access to social protection systems and experience increased exposure to gender-based violence. Traditional beliefs and social norms limit the role women play outside the home and this also extends to DRM structures and practices where the perspectives of women and the role they can play may not be realised unless specific steps are taken. Riverine community vulnerability: Across the country communities in rural areas reliant on agricultural, fisheries and forest resource have heightened vulnerability to recurring hydro-meteorological disasters such as floods, drought, storms, land erosion, earthquakes and pandemics due to the increasing impact of climate change. Vulnerability is not evenwith women, ethnic minorities and remote communities considered more vulnerable. The increasing unpredictability of rain fall and flood patterns that irrigate fields, replenish fisheries and nurture forest and wetlands challenge traditional systems and practices require other forms of information and support to adapt livelihoods reliant on these resources and reduce the impact of extreme weather events. This requires strengthening ofcommunity capacity to understand and assess these changes and impact atthelocal level including the differential impact on women and other social groups; and to collectively plan inclusive strategies to adapt current livelihood practices and strategies while at the same time continuing their day-to-day smart livelihood activities. Local authority capacity: At the local level where policy meets implementation, there are key gaps particularly related to the interface between communities and formal DRM committees at the commune/local authority levels. The integration of investment in DRM and CCA into cyclical local development planning is a key gap despite existing policies that promote community-based approaches. This is largely due to competing priorities at this level and the need for meaningful participatory approachesto be effective that are often beyond the skill set, experience, and time availability/priorities of officials at this level. The integration of community perspectives and analysis into local development planning is also hindered by traditional top-down governmental approaches reflecting power differentials related to resources, roles and social hierarchy including gendered attitudes, norms, and behaviours. Access to data/information: Laos has invested in data gathering and dissemination systems for DRM using a range of hydro-meteorological data sources including rain and river gauges, remote sensing, and weather forecasting technology such as radar and satellite imagery. Delivery systems include pilot warning announcement via mobile messages, installationofloudspeakers at districts and villages, construction of flood protection barrier and warning systems, and various data sharing platforms targeting local DRM committees and riverine communities directly. Understanding what data is available, collected by whom and the social-political factors determining availability, accessibility, useability, and timeliness of data (includinggender, ethnicity, location etc) is of key importance as is incorporation of local and traditional knowledge and experience to inform how the data is used. The Strengthening Climate Resilience (SCR) project seeks to strengthen the resilience of communities living along the Mekong River and tributaries to impacts of climate change. This project builds upon Oxfam and partners’ existing work. SCR will work with riverine communities representing some of the most vulnerable in Luang Prabang and Champasak provinces. Specific communities are also selected based on Oxfam’s understanding of needs, and on existing relationships with projectpartners under the ongoing Inclusion Project Phase II (IP2).

General

CCFC, established in 2011, works in 10 provinces, covering 74 communities w/r to land rights and protection of natural resources. They organize, build the capacity of farmer communities, network at grassroots level in order to have one voice and to promote transparency and good governance by the government, donor community and private sector. For FIRST project, CFCF aimed to improve the influence capacity, analytical skill, and meaningful engagement of small-holder’s farmers, local leaders, and women leaders on the Cambodia Social Protection Mechanism to be more inclusive in developing and delivering. To implement the project effectively and efficiency, CCFC will work closely and directly with 250 (40% of females) small-holder’s farmers, local leaders, and women leaders in some selected CCFC’s target communities where are located in 11 target provinces, including Kosh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Spue, Kampot, Takeo, Kandal, Prey Veng, Svay Reing, Thbong Khmom, Kratie, and Preah Vihear.

General

Women’s Rights to Land For Economic Empowerment project aim to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for productive resource, employment and land in particular. The grant applied to LCSL will support the implementation of Women’sRights To Land For Economic Empowerment. This project among other things will support the organization to identify differences among women and men as to accessing land in the Tanzania under the customary land tenure system, identify the contributions of on-going land reforms in increasing women’s access to land in their respective areas (villages), assess the constraints and opportunities affecting access to land by women econamicaly and socially and assess the influence of religion and intermarriage on women’s access toland for economics earning as well as to identify and form women’s mechanisms/groups to protect women against any possible loss of their access rights; and Among the activities that will be implemented in this project includeto build advocacy capacity of pastoralist women and young mother and support their engagement on women’s land rights for economic empowerment, strengthen the advocacy approaches of women’s network on land rights for economic empowerment, create four (4) groups of women within our cooperative to promote entrepreneurship through land. Four (4) groups will have access to land for economic activities, training pastoralist women and young mothers on entrepreneurship through land, organize maasai festival and provide public award to 2 creative business ideas generated by pastoralists maasai women and young mothers through land. The aim is to break the stigma and taboos around women’s rights to land and to support the trained 4 pastoralists women and young mother groups to access capital for their business. This will include link them with the financial institutions, support them with materials for business startup, link them with local government authority of development fund.

General

The Pension Convenant seeks to support Pension Funds to implement OECD orientations regarding ESG. The two track approach has a general track where all Dutch pension funds are targetted and a second track to undertake case studies and feed into the general track. The Convenant will work with a Steering Group and several working groups, notably for Monitoring, Case Studies and Instruments. The Convenant support facility is not a project but a facility where Oxfam Novib, on behalf of participating NGOs and trade unions, administers the facility. On an equal basis, Oxfam Novib also participates in the implementation of the Convenant. WAPN will bring inknowledeg on animal rights and environment The participating NGOs bring their specific knowledge and information about human rights (including children's rights, gender equality and land rights), climate change, nature, the fight against corruption, health (including access to medicines) and animal welfare in the local context. The NGOs will contribute through - to share their specific, available expertise with the Parties on, for example, building civil society in developing countries; ESG risks and impacts, general ESGpolicies and procedures for ESG due diligence; contacts with governments in unstable, conflict-affected or quasi-uncontrolled areas; contacts with the government of states where frequent serious impacts occur; protection of (human rights) activists; collecting local evidence with regard to ESG violations; prioritizing risks based on knowledge of (future) international standards and their global and international overview, perspective and network; improving the situation of the victims; - involving local stakeholders and colleague and partner organizations; - act as an informal sounding board for sensitive or complex issues and suggest possible solutions to obstacles faced by the Parties; - with regard to the Deep Track, play an active role where possible in involving local stakeholders, mediating (informally) on sensitive orcomplex issues and / or conducting public-oriented or other activities aimed at increasing the joint influence on companies .