VIENTIANE, LAO PDR—Today, in a ceremony at the Vientiane Capital Court, the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) Legal Aid Support Program provided a grant of LAK 389,556,000 or equivalent to USD 42,700 to the Lao Bar Association. Deputy USAID Country Representative to Laos, Mr. Patrick Bowers, witnessed the signing of the grant between President of the Lao Bar Association (LBA) Mr Khamsay Soulinthone and the Asia Foundation Country Representative Mr. Todd Wassel. 

The USAID Legal Aid Support program, funded by the United States through USAID and implemented by the Asia Foundation, will support the Lao Bar Association to open Legal Aid Clinics in Vientiane Capital, Champasak, Savannakhet, Salavan, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Xayabouly, and Vientiane provinces.

“This project reaffirms our commitment and shared goals, under the U.S. Laos Comprehensive Partnership to promote the rule of law in Lao PDR,” said Mr. Bowers. 

The Legal Aid Clinics, to be opened by LBA, will provide a greater number of Lao citizens with free legal aid services, including consultation, documentation, and court representation. The Legal Aid Clinics will contribute to the successful implementation of Legal Aid Decree’s purpose, which is to further increase access to justice for all and ensure equality to help build a secure, just, and prosperous society. 

The USAID Legal Aid Support program helps advance the goal of the Lao PDR, as described in the Legal Sector Master Plan, to become a rule of law state. The United States also partners with the Lao PDR on a wide range of activities to promote basic education, improve health and nutrition, facilitate trade and investment, and counter trafficking in persons.