Laos

Waste that can no longer be ignored

Laos, located between Thailand and Vietnam, is facing a rapidly growing volume of waste. This is a nationwide issue affecting both urban and rural areas. Landfill capacities are insufficient, and the country lacks the necessary data and technical background to address the situation systematically.

This is why international support is essential. Both local authorities and the public are aware of the problem, but they need expertise and experience to establish a sustainable waste management system.

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How we help in Laos

Effective waste management

Effective waste management

In Laos, we contribute to connecting local institutions with Czech experts and work together to find long-term solutions. To ensure a sustainable waste management system, it is essential to develop effective solutions. In selected regions, we help identify the main causes of the problem as well as possible solutions, which can then be expanded to other parts of the country.
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Why it matters

Without a functioning waste management system:

  • environmental pollution increases
  • living conditions deteriorate
  • health risks for entire communities grow

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Articles

Caritas Czech Republic sets new safety standards for humanitarian and development workers
December 29, 2025 News

Caritas Czech Republic sets new safety standards for humanitarian and development workers

Helping others is only possible when those who provide the help are safe themselves. That is why Caritas Czech Republic places great emphasis on protecting its staff and creating a secure environment for their work. This year, we launched a systematic review and development of safety management within our humanitarian and development programmes. The aim of this strategy is to prepare staff for potential crisis situations arising from security threats and accidental or natural risks. According to Kristýna Kvasničková, Learning & Policy Coordinator, safety standards were updated this year at Caritas Czech Republic’s offices in Ukraine and Zambia. In the coming year, these procedures will also be implemented in other regions where Caritas operates. This activity was funded by the Czech Aid. 

Laos confronts rising waste accumulation with Caritas Czech Republic’s support and Czech expertise
December 23, 2025 News

Laos confronts rising waste accumulation with Caritas Czech Republic’s support and Czech expertise

In the capital of Laos, the issue of emissions is so pressing that electric cars are being adopted here more rapidly than in Europe. Nonetheless, the country continues to grapple with the unsustainable problem of waste accumulation. Recently, experts from the BioResources & Technology Division, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) visited Laos. Supported by Caritas Czech Republic, the dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík, Antoine Bercy, M.Sc. and Jan Staš, M.Sc., PhD, contributed to an analysis aimed at helping local institutions address the nationwide problem. Among all Southeast Asian countries, Laos has experienced the fastest growth in waste. However, the local infrastructure is unable to process it, says Hynek Roubík in an interview with Caritas Czech Republic.