Lao PDR

Crisis Prevention and Recovery

UNDP is assisting the Government in the development of strategic disaster management planning, to prevent, respond to and minimize the impacts of disasters throughout the country.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Contamination

During the second Indochina conflict from 1964 to 1973, Lao PDR was subject to the heaviest bombing that the world had ever known.  US bombing records indicate that more than 580,000 bombing missions were carried out, dropping more than 2 million tonnes of bombs.  Many of the bombs dropped were cluster bombs, dispensing sub-ammunition bomblets (bombies), which acted, and still act as a type of anti-personnel weapon.  It is estimated that 10-30% of these bombs and bomblets failed to explode on impact. 

Thirty five years after the ceasefire, UXO continues to limit the physical safety, livelihoods and food security in Lao PDR. High levels of poverty in rural communities often correlate with high levels of UXO contamination. UXO/Mine Action is the absolute pre-condition for the socio-economic development of Lao PDR and for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and National Socio Economic Development Plan (NSEDP).   

Current Projects in Crisis Prevention and Recovery

The Lao PDR has actively participated in the international movement to ban cluster munitions, known as the Oslo Process, as cluster munitions have been the cause of more injuries and deaths in the Lao PDR than in any other country. Lao delegations not only shared their country's painful experience with other countries but also played an leadership role throughout the process calling for the development of a comprehensive ban on all types of cluster munitions.

When the Convention on Cluster Munitions opened for signature on 3 December 2008 in Oslo, Lao PDR was the second country to sign, after the host Norway. The Lao PDR, represented by Mr Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, offered to host the first meeting of States Party to the Convention, one year after the 30th country ratifies and the Convention comes into force. When it does enter into force, Laos will be required to clear all cluster munitions within ten years. Although this task will almost certainly be impossible due to the extent of the contamination, UNDP will continue to assist the Government of Lao PDR to mobilize the resources required for this effort, and, at the same time, to strengthen its oversight role.

UXO LAO

In 1995, the Government of Lao PDR, committed to tackle with this massive and complex problem, requested UNDP for assistance to develop a strategy for the creation of a national capacity to address the long-term humanitarian and development issues caused by UXO contamination. UNDP supported the establishment of the UXO Trust Fund in 1995 (now more donor contributions are challelled through UNDP based on cost-sharing agreements) and of the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao) , the national clearance operator in 1996.  UXO Lao is a nationally executed programme (NEX), which is designed to generate the ownership and the responsibility of the Lao Government for UXO clearance and risk reduction education supported by UNDP and its partners.  As people in Lao PDR are most likely to continue to live with UXO for a long time, it is crucial to develop and support a national institution that will be in place for a long time, to clear land for development as well as for safety and to conduct community awareness activities in the affected communities in Lao PDR. 

NRA

Recognizing the need to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the UXO Sector, the Government of Lao PDR, with support from UNDP and its partners, developed and adopted a National Strategic Plan for the UXO Sector, “The Safe Path Forward” for the period 2003-2013.  Subsequently, the Government of Lao PDR officially created the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO sector by issuing the Prime Minister's Decree on 17 March 2004 in accordance with the national strategy.  The NRA is a civilian institution of the Government of Lao PDR with representatives of all line ministries concerned with UXO contamination issues.  The NRA is responsible for the coordination, regulation and overseeing of all UXO/Mine Action activities in Lao PDR according to the national standards and socio-economic development priorities. With the appointment of the Director in 2006, the NRA Office, as its secretariat, became operational, and UNDP continues to support the NRA and its office to build institutional and individual staff capacities to fulfill their mandates.