ລາວໂຮມລາວ ເພື່ອປະຊາທິປະໄຕ

Laos Needs US$50 Million For UXO Clearance

The government needs more than US$50 million every year over the next three years for clearance of unexploded ordnance, known as UXOs, which are scattered on over 20,000 ha of land, according a senior official.

"Laos still faces numerous challenges regarding the implementation of the National UXO clearance strategic plan, as well as the country-specific Millennium Development Goal on UXOs (MDG 9). Ensuring the fulfillment of UXO clearance is a high priority," Director General of the National Regulatory for UXO/Mine Action in the Lao PDR, Mr Phoukhiew Chanthasomboune told KPL News reporters on 28 November.

Mr Phoukiew said that the target of MDG 9 is also to substantially reduce the number of casualties as a result of UXO incidents and ensure that the medical and rehabilitation needs of all survivors are met in line with obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Laos is the most bombed country per capita in the world, after over 270 million cluster munitions were dropped on its territory during the war from 1964 to 1973.

1.37 million bombs have been removed and destroyed, including 6,802 cluster bombs, 632,232 bombies, 6,882 mines and other 725,212 bombs. Over 80 million UXOs are believed scattered in 14 provinces, or 98 districts countrywide.

"41 out of the 46 poorest districts still have UXOs as major threats to the livelihood of local people," said Mr Phoukhiew.

So far this year, sixteen people have fallen victim to UXOs, including twelve deaths and four disabled survivors.

"UXOs still contaminate the majority of Laos' territory, with about 300 people killed or injured last year, of whom 40 per cent were children," said Mr Phoukhiew.

Since 1996, UXO Laos has cleared 41,014 ha of UXOs.

The number of people falling victim to UXOs has declined from 300 people in 1996 to 56 people in 2012 and 28 people this year.

In November 2010 in Vientiane, US$19 million was donated by international development partners for UXO clearance purposes in the country. The donation for the UXO clearance for the 2011-2012 period stood at US$ 30 million.

"We call on all donors, international organisations, ministries and relevant sectors to further contribute to our UXO clearance effort so that we can achieve the plan," said Mr Phoukhiew.

Presently, there are six clearance operators including Handicap International (HI), Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS), Mine Advisory Group (MAG), Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), Solidarity Service International (SODI) and Halo Trust.

The Lao UXO also needs modern clearance technology, manpower and needs more funding for UXO clearance purposes.