U.S. Increases Funding for UXO Sector to $12 Million
The United States is strengthening its commitment to the UXO sector in Laos by increasing its assistance to $12 million this year. Daniel A. Clune, U.S. Ambassador to the Lao PDR and Phoukhieo Chanthasomboune, Director of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) made the announcement of the increase on June 6 at the offices of the NRA. Due to assistance from many countries and the hard work of many organizations, casualties from UXO accidents have decreased in recent years from an average of about 300 per year to a low of 41 in 2013. However, Ambassador Clune pointed out that “41 is still 41 too many.”
