Ireland Pledges $1 Million for UXO Clearance in Laos
Effort Targets UXO-Contaminated Land and Raises Awareness Among Locals
In an effort to mitigate the dangers of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos, the Government of Ireland has committed over $1 million to support UXO clearance operations in Savannakhet Province.
The 18-month project aims to clear 870,000 square meters of contaminated land in the Sepon and Vilabouly districts. It also includes conducting 1,080 risk education sessions to educate locals about UXO dangers and preventive measures.
Despite ongoing clearance efforts, UXO remains a significant threat in many parts of Laos. In the first half of this year, UXO-related accidents resulted in 36 injuries and seven fatalities, predominantly affecting children and farmers.
The Lao National Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector reported these figures during a meeting on July 3 in Vientiane, underscoring the importance of continued UXO clearance.
From January to June, over 33,500 UXO devices were cleared from 2,543 hectares of land, and 1,425 explosive ordnance risk education sessions were held in 472 villages, reaching 153,663 participants. During this period, 20 UXO-related accidents were recorded, involving 43 people.
Cooperation between the Lao government and humanitarian NGOs has provided assistance to 1,832 UXO accident victims.
Laos remains one of the most heavily bombed countries per capita. Between 1964 and 1973, over 2 million tons of ordnance were dropped on Laos, with an estimated 30 percent failing to explode. This left over 270 million cluster munitions scattered across the country, including an estimated 80 million live bomblets.
The 18-month project aims to clear 870,000 square meters of contaminated land in the Sepon and Vilabouly districts. It also includes conducting 1,080 risk education sessions to educate locals about UXO dangers and preventive measures.
Despite ongoing clearance efforts, UXO remains a significant threat in many parts of Laos. In the first half of this year, UXO-related accidents resulted in 36 injuries and seven fatalities, predominantly affecting children and farmers.
The Lao National Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector reported these figures during a meeting on July 3 in Vientiane, underscoring the importance of continued UXO clearance.
From January to June, over 33,500 UXO devices were cleared from 2,543 hectares of land, and 1,425 explosive ordnance risk education sessions were held in 472 villages, reaching 153,663 participants. During this period, 20 UXO-related accidents were recorded, involving 43 people.
Cooperation between the Lao government and humanitarian NGOs has provided assistance to 1,832 UXO accident victims.
Laos remains one of the most heavily bombed countries per capita. Between 1964 and 1973, over 2 million tons of ordnance were dropped on Laos, with an estimated 30 percent failing to explode. This left over 270 million cluster munitions scattered across the country, including an estimated 80 million live bomblets.