S. Korea's Medical Team Leaves For Laos To Assist Flood Recovery

SEOUL, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jul, 2018 ) :A South Korean medical team left for Laos on Sunday to assist with recovery from the deadly flooding that resulted from the collapse of a dam that was under construction by a Korean builder, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

An emergency relief team, comprised of 15 medical personnel and five support staff, embarked on a 10-day mission to treat displaced residents in southern Laos and prevent the spread of contagious diseases, it added.

A dam built on a mountain saddle of a larger hydropower dam project gave way on Monday. SK Engineering & Construction, a South Korean firm, is a partner in the project.

The dam is one of five auxiliary dams in the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy project, which collapsed, flooding seven nearby villages and displacing more than 6,600 people.

The flooding killed at least 27 people, leaving more than 130 missing, according to local media reports.

"The role of a humanitarian mission is important as this disaster also involves a South Korean firm," said Roh Dong-whan, the leader of the relief team. "We'd like to provide assistance to affected residents warmly and actively." The team is the first South Korean emergency medical team to be dispatched since 2014 when the government sent a team to Ebola-hit Sierra Leone.

In rescue efforts, the government will provide US$500,000 in cash and $500,000 worth of materials to help Laos recover from the disaster. A Korean military aircraft carrying relief supplies departed for Laos Saturday.