Lao News on LNTV-Citizens affected by the Xayaboury Dam have reestablished a new home. 27-03-2013

INTRO: Villagers of Ban Huysouy informed Lao and Vietnamese reporters on their wellbeing after relocating from the soon to be XAyaboury Dam sight. STORY: It has been 1 year since the villagers of Ban Huysouy (ຫຸວສຸວ) has been relocated away from the Xayaboury Dam sight, and placed in Ban Na Tor Yai, just 6 km from the Xayaboury Provincial Capital. "According to the Mayor of Xayaboury District, Bounpack Inthapanya, Ban Huysouy is 1 of 6 villages, or 75 household, or 330 people, affected by the Xayaboury Dam Project, and it is agreed between the Xayaboury Power Co. has agreed to pay to the villagers compensation for each homes, land and construction of new house with electricity and running water, as well as food stipend for every villagers for 2 year." According to village Chief of Ban Na Tor Yai, Leng Inthavong, the villagers not only received a new home with land, and utilities, but also received a primary school, market, village office, temple and bus stop to go into the city. "Madame Bounpack added, in order to allow the villagers to cope with a new lifestyle closer to the provincial capital, the district government and Xayaboury Power Company has setup a 75 million kip loan of development with no interest to help support the villagers in farming and livestock raising to produce income for their families." "Before, livelihood is hard (away from city, in the forest), farming, hunting, gathering, gold mining. Now we live closer to city, closer better live style, and more incoming, more comfortable, I don't want to go back to the old place again." "Madame Bounpack mentioned, the current 2012 statistics, the villagers average income is $300~$400 USD, compared to $50~$100 USD before when living on the Mekong river."