Lao PDR

In Lao PDR, on average, one man, woman or child is killed or injured almost every day by UXO (unexploded ordnance), mostly by cluster munitions. UXO contamination is an ongoing development challenge in the country. There appears to be a significant correlation between the presence of UXO and prevalence of poverty. Some of the most UXO contaminated areas are also among the poorest in the country. The presence of UXO causes food shortages in affected provinces, as it limits the expansion of agricultural production and villagers’ ability to achieve sustainable livelihoods.  

UNDP assists the Lao Government in the UXO sector in i.e. providing technical assistance, program assurance, and financial oversight to the two nationally implemented projects – UXO Lao and the UXO National Regulatory Authority; providing capacity building support leading to increased national ownership and decreased dependence on international advisors over the years; and providing support to the Lao Government in terms of international treaties under the UXO sector.  

Having worked closely with international donors, UNDP has secured over US$ 44.2 million in funding for UXO Lao since 1996. UNDP support to UXO Lao has resulted in 17,843 hectares of land cleared of UXO in the nine most UXO impacted provinces in the country from 1996 to 2009, clearing 924,518 different UXO items including 433,106 cluster munition items. In addition, UXO risk education activities were conducted in 7,877 villages, reaching a little over 2 million beneficiaries during that period.

Recently, the Government of Lao PDR and UNDP established a UXO trust fund. Australia has been one of the most generous donors to the fund.

See also our cluster munitions video on You Tube.