UXOs in Laos

I ran into another team of UXO guys a couple of weeks ago. Was going to buy them a slab of beer, but thought better of that... bought them a carton of Sprite instead.



The result of UXO... one of the drivers on the convoy I went down to Vientiane with

 
Yep, a few Beer Lao and clearing mine sites doesn't really mix.
Ian do you (or anyone) know the extent to which USA is there cleaning up its mess?
 
This is a bit out of date but FYI:

press release 2012 | Embassy of the United States Vientiane, Laos

"The U.S. government has provided over $68 million to the UXO sector since 1993 and has wil spend over $9 million this year. In addition to funding clearance operations, U.S. support to the sector includes risk education aimed at teaching school children about the dangers of UXO and life-saving victim's assistance that provides medical training and equipment to clinics and hospitals in heavily contaminated districts."

There's more at the url.

Mac
 
mactbkk said:
"The U.S. government has provided over $68 million to the UXO sector since 1993"Mac
Click to expand...
It would be interesting to see how much the (more than 2 million ton of) bombs have cost compared to the current US support to clear their legacy.
 
IIRC, 0.3% of Laos has been cleared. In some areas, its a 2m wide path between villages.

PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Funding for UXO Clearance in Laos Reaches Historic High | Legacies of War

PRESS RELEASE

U.S. Funding for UXO Clearance in Laos Reaches Historic High

Legacies of War successfully advocates for $12 million in 2014


Washington, DC, January 21, 2014: Legacies of War today announced that the U.S. will be spending $12 million in fiscal year 2014 for unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance, victim assistance and risk education in Laos. The funding was included in the recent omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Obama. The amount represents the largest annual spending by the U.S. to support various groups in Laos working to improve clearance efficiency, lower casualty rates and support current victims.
Legacies of War, a Washington-based nonprofit, has worked hard to focus the attention of the U.S. on the problem of UXO in Laos. "We are pleased to see that the U.S. government is stepping up to meet its responsibility to ensure that the unexploded bombs leftover from the Vietnam War era are finally cleared. We are grateful for the ongoing commitment of the policy makers in Washington and our partners in Laos who are dedicated to solving this four-decade old problem," said Brett Dakin, Chair of the Board of Legacies of War.
From 1964 to 1973, Laos was involved in the Indochina conflict, and was subjected to the heaviest bombing campaign in history with approximately two million tons of ordnance dropped on the country. Of the 270 million cluster bombs dropped, about thirty-percent never exploded, leaving an estimated 80 million bomblets littering 14 of the 17 provinces in Laos.
"The tragic legacy of cluster munitions in Laos is one that all Americans should care about. I hope the additional funds in fiscal year 2014 will become part of a multi-year program to finally overcome this cruel history and enable the Laotian people to rebuild their lives," said Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds UXO clearance programs around the world.
Since the end of the bombing, the U.S. has provided $74M, including the $12M in FY14, for UXO activities in Laos. Of the total amount, $32 million, or forty-percent, has been allocated in the last five years.
"No doubt there's been tremendous progress in the UXO Lao sector in recent years due to increased visibility, funding and collaboration among stakeholders. However, this is still a huge problem for the people of Laos - less than one-percent of the littered land has been cleared and there are currently over 10,000 victims in Laos," saidChannapha Khamvongsa, Executive Director of Legacies of War. The latest victims resulted from an accident that occurred during the first week of 2014 when six children in Boulikhamxay Province, ages 8 to 12 were injured, and three of whom died. Forty-percent of victims are children.
Founded in 2004, Legacies of War raises awareness about the history of the Vietnam War-era bombing in Laos and advocates for the clearance of unexploded bombs, provides space for healing the wounds of war, and creates greater hope for a future of peace. Legacies of War plans to continue raising awareness and facilitating dialogue to resolve the UXO problem in Laos in the next decade.
Contact

Ms. Channapha Khamvongsa
(703) 868-0030
channapha@legaciesofwar.org

Places, like this, which had dozens of craters, are still not cleared





This particular crew, the all-female crew - one of IIRC 11 crews that MAG have in-country - were having lunch when I encountered them



They had pulled 20 bombies out of the area they were clearing - agricultural land / flat scrub - but most of what they encounter is bomb fragments



Here's their running sheet



This gives an idea of how often they get a "ping" on the metal detector. It must be an interesting moment when they dig and discover the live ones. Incidentally, I came across a man and his son digging a live one out of a path. I didn't stop for photos



Note the US flag sticker. I'm a bit of a cynic at times. I saw the articles on this team... and it was all about their sponsorship by the then US Secretary of State... Hillary. She got good press out of it, but I'm happy to see the money being spent



 
2wheels said:
Nine Vietnam War-era bombs cleared | Bangkok Post: Most recent

"Bomb clearance teams working on a 220km rail line in southern Laos have found nine unexploded devices along the route, a news report said on Wednesday. "

(Bgk Post)
Click to expand...

Sorry, a bit off-topic but saw this article also in the Vientiane Times but as it appeared in an article to show that the Savannakhet to Lao Bao - Vietnam railway project is not dead as almost everyone including the Lao Government thought, I have doubts about its accuracy

Vientiane Times, 28 May 2014

Lao authorities plan to hold talks with a foreign investor to discuss why they have yet to begin the US$5 billion Savan-Laobao rail project, a senior government official said. The Lao government signed an agreement with the Malaysia-based company, Giant Consolidated Limited, in November 2012 to develop the 220km high-speed rail to link central Savannakhet province to Laobao on the Vietnam border. The investor announced the project would begin in early 2013 with completion slated within the next four years, however significant action has yet to be taken to carry out the development. The official, who does not wish to be named, said the relevant Lao authorities plan to meet with the investor in a move to push the project forward.

According to the agreement, the project will have a 50-year concession period and the train is expected to travel at speeds of up to 120km per hour. It was reported that the rail project will be built using earthquake-resistant Chinese technology. The contract to develop the rail project was signed at the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Vientiane in November, 2012. Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak witnessed the signing of the contract.
 
The Bigfella said:
IIRC, 0.3% of Laos has been cleared. In some areas, its a 2m wide path between villages.

PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Funding for UXO Clearance in Laos Reaches Historic High | Legacies of War

PRESS RELEASE

U.S. Funding for UXO Clearance in Laos Reaches Historic High

Legacies of War successfully advocates for $12 million in 2014
Click to expand...


US increases financial support for UXO clearance in Laos

(KPL) The US has increased financial support for unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in Laos from US$9 million (72 billion kip) to US$12 million (96 billion) per year. The commitment was made by US Ambassador to Laos Mr Daniel A. Clune during his visit to the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO/Mine Action Sector in the Lao PDR in Vientiane last Friday in the presence of Director of NRA Mr Phoukhieo Chanthasomboun. The US began cooperating with Laos to address the issues and consequences of UXO in 1993 through providing funding to UXO victims. The US government expanded its assistance programme in 1996 to involve UXO clearance and building awareness of the dangers and risks involved.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Clune praised the assistance and cooperation of many countries, donors and development partners for their hard work. He also said clearance operators have ensured that the casualties from the cluster bombs have decreased in recent years from an average of around 300 per year to 41 in 2013. As seen in past years, the US funding will be provided in cooperation with the NRA, UXO-Lao, international and local organizations and other humanitarian clearance operators.

The funds provided for UXO clearance will focus on provinces which have been seriously impacted by cluster munitions. Victim's assistance will also be provided to survivors of UXO accidents and their families, and aid will also support capacity development of national institutions. The funding will also help strengthen first aid and emergency response at key health facilities in heavily impacted provinces. Mr Phoukhieo said despite the Lao government and international community making joint efforts to clear UXO since 1990, the clearance has only reached 2 per cent of the contaminated areas. He said UXO remains a danger to the Lao people and hurdle in their national development.

Source: :: KPL :: Lao News Agency
 
UXO clearance workers laid off

Many employees of the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao) have lost their jobs because of a lack of funding for UXO clearance operations. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Saleumsay Kommasith told the media at a meeting of the UXO trust fund steering committee on Friday that 500 of the over 1,200 employees are being laid off. “These employees are having to leave UXO Lao because there is no money to pay them,” he said.

According to the meeting, on the fourth anniversary of the Entry into Force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions last August, it was reported to international donors that UXO Lao would face shortages in funding and contributions towards the clearance of unexploded ordnance from contaminated areas by the end of last year. International donors were requested to provide more funds to UXO bodies in Laos so clearance work could continue in the provinces. The National Regulatory Authority then reported at a two day sector policy forum on the UXO survey in target development areas and UXO victim assistance in October that the number of UXO victims was within the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No. 9 limit for 2015, but was still too high. Many people are still being killed or injured by the deadly devices each month.

Mr Saleumsay said it was a challenge to source more funding from international donors for clearance operations. So far this year, donors have not confirmed they will support UXO clearance in Laos. Donors may want to know the plans for UXO clearance from now until 2017 as they may want to propose funding support from their governments. However, UXO Lao and other non-government organisations are set to undertake technical surveys of each area before starting any clearance work. It is hoped these surveys will show which areas of land need to be cleared and which others are free of UXO.

This preliminary work will result in much faster clearance of large areas, releasing land more quickly for use or development. In the past clearance has been quite slow as they have been following a policy of clearing all areas m arked red on the map, which signifies the areas where UXO is thought to be. According to the National Regulatory Authority last year, over 44,000 hectares of land have been cleared since 1996. Up to 37 percent of the country's total land area, about 87,000 km2, may be contaminated with various types of UXO.

Source: Vientiane Times (Latest Update March 2, 2015)
 
Lone Rider said:
UXO clearance workers laid off

Many employees of the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao) have lost their jobs because of a lack of funding for UXO clearance operations. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Saleumsay Kommasith told the media at a meeting of the UXO trust fund steering committee on Friday that 500 of the over 1,200 employees are being laid off. “These employees are having to leave UXO Lao because there is no money to pay them,” he said.

According to the meeting, on the fourth anniversary of the Entry into Force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions last August, it was reported to international donors that UXO Lao would face shortages in funding and contributions towards the clearance of unexploded ordnance from contaminated areas by the end of last year. International donors were requested to provide more funds to UXO bodies in Laos so clearance work could continue in the provinces. The National Regulatory Authority then reported at a two day sector policy forum on the UXO survey in target development areas and UXO victim assistance in October that the number of UXO victims was within the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No. 9 limit for 2015, but was still too high. Many people are still being killed or injured by the deadly devices each month.

Mr Saleumsay said it was a challenge to source more funding from international donors for clearance operations. So far this year, donors have not confirmed they will support UXO clearance in Laos. Donors may want to know the plans for UXO clearance from now until 2017 as they may want to propose funding support from their governments. However, UXO Lao and other non-government organisations are set to undertake technical surveys of each area before starting any clearance work. It is hoped these surveys will show which areas of land need to be cleared and which others are free of UXO.

This preliminary work will result in much faster clearance of large areas, releasing land more quickly for use or development. In the past clearance has been quite slow as they have been following a policy of clearing all areas m arked red on the map, which signifies the areas where UXO is thought to be. According to the National Regulatory Authority last year, over 44,000 hectares of land have been cleared since 1996. Up to 37 percent of the country's total land area, about 87,000 km2, may be contaminated with various types of UXO.

Source: Vientiane Times (Latest Update March 2, 2015)
Click to expand...

UXO Lao teams look set to return to work

The United States has given preliminary approval to assist the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao) to return 19 UXO teams back to work after they were temporarily stood down for a year owing to a shortage of funds. UXO Lao Director Mr Thippasone Soukhathammavong told Vientiane Times on Tuesday the proceedings of a grant proposal are being drawn up for submission to US authorities. According to the plan of UXO Laos, it’s expected that the 19 teams may return to work clearing the UXO contaminated areas throughout the country in October this year, if this project proposal is approved by the US government.

This year the United States announced an increase in funding from US$12 million (96 billion kip) to US$15 million (over 121 billion kip) for the UXO sector in Laos. UXO Lao requested that the US provide additional funding of over US$3 million (over 24 million kip) this year to put the stood down UXO teams back to work, including in the task of technical surveys. The organisation employs 83 teams of people who detect and remove unexploded munitions. Last year 19 teams were forced to stop work due to the shortage of funds. More than 13 billion kip is needed to reinstate these 19 teams. In another cutback, UXO risk education teams in six provinces had to discontinue their work, breaking off from their work in several villages.

Source: Vientiane Times - UXO Lao - (Latest Update July 08, 2015)
 
UK supports UXO survey in Xieng Khuang

The government of the United Kingdom (UK) is providing more than US$1 million (about 8 billion kip) for an Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) survey operation in Xieng Khuang. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Vientiane on Wednesday between the National Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector in Laos (NRA) and the Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) for the UXO survey in Xieng Khuang Province. The survey will target areas identified by the provincial and district authorities and will be conducted in a systematic manner to establish the known extent of contamination in the province. The mixed survey teams will consist of experienced NPA staff from Saravan and Xekong Provinces and existing UXO Lao staff already based in Xieng Khuang. UXO Lao clearance teams (funded through other donor channels) will follow up the NPA/UXO Lao joint survey teams and clear confirmed hazardous areas.

Source: http://kpl.gov.la/En/Detail.aspx?id=9688
 
A few recent photos taken south of Route 9 in and close to the Dong Phou Vieng NP.

UXO warnings sprayed onto trees.
DSC04102.jpg

Halo Trust vehicle blocking the track whilst controlled explosions are carried out at a few hundred metres ahead.
DSC04114.jpg
 
US to increase aid to clear unexploded bombs in Laos

VIENTIANE, Laos — Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the United States is considering increasing financial aid to help Laos clear the countryside of unexploded ordnance left over from the Vietnam War more than four decades ago. Speaking with reporters at the end of a one-day stop in the impoverished, Communist-run country, Kerry said no final figure has been determined, but discussions are underway to increase it. The United States has been helping find and clear unexploded ordnance for more than half a decade, starting with $5 million a year and gradually rising to $15 million last year and $19.5 this year. The efforts have resulted in a significant decline in the number of Laotians killed and seriously wounded, which was averaging 300 a year. "We're now down to about 50 a year," Kerry said, adding, "And 50 a year is still too many." Kerry said he expected a final aid package to be completed by the time President Barack Obama comes to Laos this summer to attend a meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations.

Source: US-to-increase-aid-to-clear-unexploded-bombs-in-laos
 
Considering the sums of money the US spends elsewhere around the world on 'defence' ($500+ billion), these figures are, in my eyes at least, still appalling.
 
CraigBKK said:
Considering the sums of money the US spends elsewhere around the world on 'defence' ($500+ billion), these figures are, in my eyes at least, still appalling.
Click to expand...

In a way I fully agree with you as it would be a boon for everyone in Laos as well as for the USA. The cost of the American bombing in todays US Dollars is estimated at 17 million USD PER DAY (source The-cost-of-america-s-secret-war-in-laos) so the 15-20 million USD PER YEAR now is nothing compared with what they spent in the past.

Another tidbit of information on the involvement of the US in Laos related to the war is looking for their MIA. The work started in 1984 and has resulted in the identification of the remains of 271 airmen. However, at the moment still some 302 persons are unaccounted for. The story can be found here: Kerry-praises-vets-search-for-MIAs-in-laos
 
US supports UXO clearance in Xieng Khuang

The United States' Department of State Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA) has provided more than US$2.17 million for a project supporting rural development through unexploded ordnance clearance in Xieng Khuang province. The total funding of US$2,178,865 will be used for survey and clearance in the districts of Nonghet, Phaxay and Khoun, over a period of 12 months. The grant is a continuation of WRA's welcome and ongoing support to MAG and to the wider UXO sector in Laos.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Vientiane on Friday to launch the project, inked by the Director of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for UXO/Mine Action in Laos, Mr Phoukhieo Chanthasomboun, and Country Director of MAG to Laos, Mr Simon Rea. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Rea said "During that time, MAG will complete a non-technical survey in 120 villages, survey 30 million square metres of land, and aim to clear UXO from 2.5 million square metres of contaminated land." The grant is recognition that UXO needs to be cleared from Lao soil and also that the NRA and Lao authorities are central to ensuring the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of this process, he said.

MAG looks forward to working in coordinated fashion and productive partnerships with all the various Lao government bodies and representatives that will make this process possible. UXO contamination in Laos continues to pose an everyday hidden danger to people and has disrupted lives for generations. Despite the dangers, many people have no choice but to use land that they know is contaminated and to risk their lives on a daily basis out of economic necessity. UXO contamination keeps people in poverty and hinders the country's socio-economic development. UXO-impacted communities are predominantly the poorest members of society, living at subsistence level in rural, remote locations with restricted access to basic services.

The government is seeking more funds to clear unexploded ordnance while around 50 people a year are injured or killed in UXO-related accidents. Unexploded ordnance is an obstacle to economic and social development because contaminated land cannot be used for agriculture, industry, tourism or the construction of infrastructure. More funding is needed for UXO clearance so the government is encouraging foreign donors to contribute to the process.

By Times Reporters, (Latest Update June 6, 2016) - http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_US_supports.htm


Note LR: Hopeful that during Obama's visit to Laos later this year, the US will substantially increase their funding for UXO related work in Laos
 
From 1964 to 1973, Laos was involved in the Indochina conflict, and was subjected to the heaviest bombing campaign in history with approximately two million tons of ordnance dropped on the country. Of the 270 million cluster bombs dropped, about thirty-percent never exploded, leaving an estimated 80 million bomblets littering 14 of the 17 provinces in Laos.
Click to expand...

Thank you Auke, Ron, and others who I haven't had the pleasure of meeting, for keeping this post alive. Living far from Laos I talk with people often who are unaware of those facts above. They are surprised, shocked, and very interested.

That 2 millions tons of ordnance is truly staggering. For comparison; from different websites, approximately 1 million tons of steel and concrete were used in the 2, 110 story, world trade centers. I was a 19 year old small town boy when I visited the world trade center, and it was an amazingly impressive sight, easily the most massive man made made thing I'd ever seen.

Cheers
 
Lone Rider said:
US to increase aid to clear unexploded bombs in Laos

VIENTIANE, Laos — Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the United States is considering increasing financial aid to help Laos clear the countryside of unexploded ordnance left over from the Vietnam War more than four decades ago. Speaking with reporters at the end of a one-day stop in the impoverished, Communist-run country, Kerry said no final figure has been determined, but discussions are underway to increase it. The United States has been helping find and clear unexploded ordnance for more than half a decade, starting with $5 million a year and gradually rising to $15 million last year and $19.5 this year. The efforts have resulted in a significant decline in the number of Laotians killed and seriously wounded, which was averaging 300 a year. "We're now down to about 50 a year," Kerry said, adding, "And 50 a year is still too many." Kerry said he expected a final aid package to be completed by the time President Barack Obama comes to Laos this summer to attend a meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations.

Source: US-to-increase-aid-to-clear-unexploded-bombs-in-laos
Click to expand...


Lao People Want US to Increase UXO Clearance

Lao netizens have welcomed US President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to the country and expressed hope that the US will increase its assistance to help Laos clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO), which remains contaminated in provinces across the country. The netizens have expressed their views on the website of the US embassy to Laos after the Embassy’s posting asking what Lao people would want to tell President Obama if they had a chance to talk to him, with the US president scheduled to visit Laos to attend the ASEAN-US Summit and East Asia Summit next week.

Some 337 facebook users had made comments on the site as of yesterday afternoon with large numbers of those saying they wanted to see the US to increase financing to UXO clearance efforts. One facebook user nickname Thong said he wanted the US to help remove all the UXO from Laos, as well as rehabilitate and help UXO victims. Would you promote higher contribution to remove the unexploded bombs that remain in several areas of the country? If this issue is proactively focused upon and worked on, it will tremendously assist in the development of Laos, another user by the name of Gary wrote.

One netizen nicknamed Lar said he was glad to see that President Obama will be the first US president to visit Laos, which was one of the Indochina’s battlefields. I would like to take this opportunity to urge your government to send an expert team and equipment for UXO clearance, he wrote.

The embassy wrote on its site saying that the US has provided grant funding for UXO clearance along with assistance to the victims and their families. Since 1994, the US has provided more than US$100 million for UXO clearance, it wrote.

Source: Vientiane Times
 
New Zealand announces that they will contribute NZD 10 million (USD 7.2 million) for UXO clearance and survey in Xieng Khouang.

A much needed boost to mine risk education and the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Lao PDR’s heavily contaminated northern province of Xieng Khouang was announced today by the Prime Minister Mr. John Key of New Zealand at the UXO Lao Training Centre in Ban Elay, Vientiane. The new contribution from New Zealand of NZD 10 million (USD 7.2 million) is one of the biggest single contributions made through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to Lao PDR’s UXO sector, and will allow for long-term planning by UXO Lao in Xieng Khouang with financing certainty for the next four years.

The much needed boost of funding from New Zealand to UXO Lao in Xieng Khouang will support 12 UXO clearance teams, one mine risk education team, two UXO survey teams and the purchasing of necessary equipment for the task.
The contribution will also support the process of completing a national survey of known cluster munition contamination by 2021, which has been planned by the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action with the support of UNDP.

Source: http://kpl.gov.la/En/Detail.aspx?id=16971
 
From the "Vientiane Times" of today - So be carefull if you are out there and stay on the tracks

UXO accident kills two brothers in Khammuan

Two brothers named Done, aged 10, and Pone, 9, were killed on Sunday when they struck an unexploded device while digging for crickets in Nongbua village, Bualapha district, Khammuan province. Another 10-year-old boy was seriously injured and is being treated in hospital in Yommalath district. The National Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector (NRA) and World Education will provide his family with financial support.

The NRA will now survey the area to check for the presence of more cluster munitions. The NRA said the boys went out to hunt for crickets at about 11 am. The elder of the two brothers dug into the ground and hit the device, which exploded, killing both boys.

Source: Vientiane Times - (Latest Update September 20, 2016)
 
The sooner Obama dishes out that 90 million he promised the better.
 
UXO explodes killing one, injuring 11

A buried bombie exploded on Tuesday in Paek district, Xieng Khuang province, killing one child and injuring five adults and seven other children, officials have said. Three people were seriously injured and are undergoing surgery in the provincial hospital to remove the shrapnel. One person remains in critical condition, the head of the hospital's surgical team, Dr Sivay Vongthongchit, said yesterday. The other victims are also being treated in the hospital, while some of those with minor injuries have returned home.

The tragedy happened on Tuesday afternoon at the home of a Hmong family in Nhotngeum village where relatives and children had gathered for a traditional ceremony, Chief of the district Police Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel Khamphay Phomchaleun said. Relatives were helping the host to prepare food and the children were playing in the front yard when the bombie exploded, he said, adding that his men rushed to the scene to investigate the incident. It is thought the bombie might have exploded due to the vibrations given off as the children played a rope jumping game, Lt Col Khamphay said.

The tragic accident is the first to occur in the province this year. Last year, there were three UXO explosions in Xieng Khuang, injuring seven people. No deaths were reported, according to the official. Statistics show that over the past four decades since the war ended in 1975, UXOs have killed and maimed tens of thousands of civilians in Laos.

Source: Vientiane Times (Latest Update March 23, 2017)

Note LR: Nhotngeum also written as Gnotngum is also know as Nongphet and is located along Rd. 7 about 25 km. north-east of Phonsavan
 
US grants 37 billion kip for Savannakhet UXO clearance

The US government recently granted more than 37 billion kip (US$4.5 million) to Laos for unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection and clearance in four target districts of Savannakhet province. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Vientiane on Friday between Director General of the National Regulatory Authority, Mr. Phoukhieo Chanthasomeboune, and Country Director of the HALO Trust Laos, Ms. Susanna Smale. The project will inspect and clear UXO in the districts of Xepon, Vilabouly, Phin, and Nong in Savannakhet province. Meanwhile, Mr. Phoukhieo said the project was important because it would reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by UXO as well as assist socio-economic development in Savannakhet province.

UXO Savannakhet.jpg​

Speaking in Savannakhet province, Ms. Smale said We are reminded every day of the risk unexploded ordnance poses to the rural communities who continue to live in the shadow of war. The American funding would save lives, make land safe, promote safe behaviour and support rural development in impoverished rural communities of Savannakhet province, she said. This project will run for 15 months, with HALO Trust's skill ed and qualified Lao staff working in more than 100 villages in four of the most contaminated districts of Laos. Our staff will support and protect rural communities who have lived with the risk of UXO for more than 40 years, by clearing over 1.6 million square metres, surveying over 47 million square metres, mapping contamination and removing the immediate risk from UXO in each village, she added. The UXO clearance project will begin immediately.

Source: Times Reporters - (Latest Update September 25, 2017)
 
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