Alms giving procession near Wat Mai Sokkham Temple, Vientiane Capital Credit: WHO / B Duncan Buddhist monks and local temples play a central role in towns and villages across Lao PDR.
Monks engage with the community on a daily basis, and temples (each led by a Chief Monk) are often the institution people turn to if they feel anxious or troubled.
The Ministry of Health, the Lao Front for National Development and the Central Buddhist Fellowship have been talking at national level since early on in the COVID-19 pandemic on issues such as safe and dignified funerals and safe ceremonies for celebrating Lao New Year (Pi Mai) (11-13 April).