Ethnic Minority Community Development in Son La Province

Duration: 2 Years

Location: Son La Province

Required Funding: USD $2,000,000

The construction of a hydroelectric dam in Son La province will force approximately 90,000 people, 80% of whom are of Thai ethnicity, to relocate, many into areas inhabited by other ethnic groups. This resettlement is likely to result in increased poverty, conflict amongst ethnic groups, increased drug use, further isolation, and increased vulnerability to HIV, STIs and other infections, as well as poor quality of life in general. The objective of the Ethnic Minority Community Development project is to improve the quality of life and opportunities for positive change in rural communities, by supporting low-income, rural ethnic minority communities to build the assets they need to overcome poverty and develop in a sustainable, enabling manner.