Budget constraints and a lack of skilled human resources have forced Laos to rely on foreign assistance to help in its efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly H5N1 virus and further outbreaks of bird flu.
Aids have come mainly from the World Bank, who has provided the Lao government $10 million for the years 2006-2008, Japan, the EU, and the U.S.
The grants are to fund the development and implementation of a comprehensive Avian flu prevention project as well as to build a lab in Vientiane to analyze the bird flu virus, to be completed by 2008.
Listen to our Laos Today report for further details.