Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, President of the Lao Red Cross, Mr Khamlavanh Chanthalavanh, and Lao Red Cross staff view a photo exhibition depicting the organisation’s humanitarian work.

Lao Red Cross targets 85,000 blood donations in 2026

The Lao Red Cross has announced an ambitious plan to collect at least 85,000 bags of blood from donors this year, hoping to meet the growing demand at hospitals across the country.
The figure includes 36,000 blood donations at the blood transfusion centre in Vientiane, and an additional 49,000 donations at facilities in provinces and districts.
In addition, the Lao Red Cross plans to train at least 500 first aid trainers and volunteers, expand its emergency rescue units to at least two additional locations, and prepare relief supplies to assist no fewer than 2,000 vulnerable and disaster-affected families.

The organisation will continue to strengthen its disaster preparedness and response capacity, ensuring that immediate assistance and initial relief are delivered promptly to victims as situations unfold.
These plans were announced at the annual Lao Red Cross meeting last week to review operations carried out in 2025 and set the plan of work for 2026.
The meeting was chaired by the President of the Lao Red Cross, Mr Khamlavanh Chanthalavanh.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone was also in attendance and gave advice, urged the Lao Red Cross to strengthen its work and effectiveness by broadening public participation and encouraging greater engagement by all sectors of society.
He stressed the importance of promoting awareness of the law, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the Lao Red Cross, particularly in delivering initial relief assistance, sourcing voluntary blood donations, and ensuring a safe and adequate blood supply nationwide.
In addition, Mr Sonexay advised on community health, risk reduction and disaster response, and emergency relief, saying these were the most important humanitarian tasks.
The meeting highlighted the Lao Red Cross’s main achievements in 2025, including efforts to encourage more people to donate blood and to distribute blood to hospitals.
The Lao Red Cross collected 72,452 bags of blood from donors around the country in 2025, surpassing its planned target.
The meeting also highlighted the provision of aid during flooding last year, including cash donations, to families in the provinces of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Xayabouly, Huaphan, Xiengkhouang, and Bolikhamxay.
The Lao Red Cross also provided assistance to impoverished families in Khammuan, Salavan, Xekong, Champasak and Attapeu provinces.
Significant progress in community health was also reported, along with first aid training, emergency rescue services, blood donation campaigns, fundraising efforts, membership and volunteer development, and international cooperation initiatives.

By Keoviengkhone Bounviseth
(Latest Update March 2, 2026)