Unexploded Ordnances (UXO's)
Lao PDR is, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. Wars during 1964-1973 saw more than two million tons of ordnance dropped on the Lao PDR as well as the use over 260 million cluster munitions, of which there is an estimated 80 million remaining live today. Approximately 25% of Laos’ 10,000 villages are estimated to be contaminated with explosive remnants of war.
UXO management in Lao PDR
The UXO Sector in Lao PDR is led by the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) and involves the UXO Lao National Clearance Agency, five NGOs, three commercial clearance groups as well as a range of organisations providing victim support and educational awareness services.
Achievements - treaties
Lao PDR is at the forefront of the Oslo process to ban cluster munitions and was second to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which was ratified on 18 March 2009. The Government of the Lao PDR will host the first Member States Party to CCM in November 2010.
Additionally, the Government voted in support of universalisation of the Anti Personnel Mine Ban Convention, and has signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Achievements - on-the-ground impacts 2009
- 617 villages visited reaching 145,332 people (including 69,471 children).
- Education programmes conducted in 533 primary schools, reaching 160,134 people.
- 4,500 radio spots in several ethnic languages of which 2000 were sponsored by the Government.
- 5,700 hectares cleared in 2008 and 2,808 hectares cleared in the first six months of 2009.
- 54,977 explosive ordinances destroyed with no deaths or injuries to any of the operators.
Achievements - support systems
Phase 2 of the National UXO Victim and Accident Survey is now underway and aims to put in place a sustainable monitoring system of UXO and mine accidents covering all provinces. When fully operational, the subsequent database will enable better targeting of resources and provide a platform for an overall community awareness strategic plan.
The National Database being established by the NRA contains demographic data from the most recent government census as well as a variety of maps and satellite GIS products. Records were consolidated for 22,889 hectares of high priority cleared land.
Future directions
The national strategic plan ‘The safe path forward’ will continue through to 2020, and provides the foundation for the UXO management in the 7th NSEDP. There are six specific objectives in the plan:
- Reduce the number of UXO casualties from 300 to less than 75 per year.
- Ensure that the medical and rehabilitation needs of all UXO Survivors are met in line with treaty obligations.
- Release priority land and clear UXO in accordance with National Standards and treaty obligations.
- Ensure effective leadership, coordination and implementation of the national programme.
- Establish sustainable national capacity fully integrated into the regular set-up of the Government.
- Meet international treaty obligations