The purpose of this paper is to highlight the salient strengths and shortcomings in the existing legal and institutional capacities of the Lao PDR to address hazards and their risk of becoming a complex emergency. Secondly, this paper offers a risk analysis to determine the gaps in the key fundamental requirements when preparing for and responding to Lao PDR natural and human induced hazards. Thirdly, is the drafting of legislative instruments intended to minimize legal and policy barriers while encouraging effective national and international responses to natural disasters and communicable diseases. Lastly, attention is given to practical recommendations for stakeholders to consider in the development of programmes that will contribute to strengthening disaster risk reduction at the national, provincial, district and village levels while also addressing the priority development strategy as defined in the Government's next Five-Year Plan.