On 13 March 2024, The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, led by Ambassador Deena Joy Amatong, visited Vientiane Rescue’s Nonghai Station and met some of its volunteers. During the visit, Embassy officials were given a tour of the station and were shown various vehicles, equipment, and materials used by volunteers in responding to emergencies ranging from fires and floods to road accidents, first aid, and medical emergencies. Volunteers shared their experiences which include receiving and responding to calls, deployment to emergencies, and providing support to victims.

Founded in 2007, Vientiane Rescue is the first volunteer-led emergency response service in Laos that operates 24/7 for free. It has four stations in Vientiane Capital and has expanded to other locations such as Pakse, Vang Vieng, and Xiengkhouang. In 2016, Vientiane Rescue received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for “its heroic work in saving Laotian lives in a time and place of great need, under the most deprived of circumstances, inspiring by their passionate humanitarianism a similar generosity of spirit in many others.” Named after the seventh Philippine President and dubbed the Nobel Prize of Asia, the Award recognizes service to society of notable distinction.

For emergencies, Vientiane Rescue can be reached by calling 1623.

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