UXO-related accidents kill two people this year

Fifteen people have been involved in UXO-related accidents so far this year, of whom two died, participants at this week’s UXO Sector Working Group meeting heard.
The meeting, held in Vientiane, was chaired by Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Mr Padeumphone Sonthany, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Laos, Ms Catherine Phuong, and the U.S. Ambassador to Laos, Dr Peter M. Haymond.

Mr Padeumphone Sonthany (centre), Ms Catherine Phuong (left) and Dr Peter M. Haymond co-chair the UXO meeting in Vientiane.

A report from the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO/Mine Action Sector shows that from January to May seven UXO-related accidents were recorded, comprising two in Saravan province, one in Savannakhet province, one in Xekong province, and three in Xieng Khuang province.
Following the accidents, 66 people were provided with assistance of various forms.
From January to May, 1,388 hectares of land were cleared of munitions. A total of 21,115 devices were removed and detonated, including 16 bombs, 14,116 cluster bombs, 20 mines, and 6,963 other items.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Padeumphone said “The government has reviewed the mid-term achievements of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, which places a strong focus on UXO clearance. This is essential in contributing to economic and social development and reducing poverty levels.”
The National Management Committee has made strides in addressing the UXO problem and has re-evaluated the guidance and leadership provided over the past year as well as setting the direction of future plans.
Guidance and management in relation to UXO clearance has been stepped up under a national plan titled “Safe Path Forward III” for 2021-2030, by integrating the UXO issue into the fields of education and sports, media, culture and tourism, health and other sectors.
In addition, coordination between the relevant central and local government agencies will be improved to comply with a government decree on the management of solutions to the UXO problem.
This will form the basis of plans to survey, remove and detonate unexploded ordnance so that people can farm safely, and the construction of watercourses, schools and other infrastructure can move forward.
Problems in this line of work require coordinated action and solutions, such as more public campaigns and education about the risks posed by UXO.
The widespread presence of unexploded ordnance means that large swathes of rural areas remain hazardous, while the target to remove unexploded devices from 10,000 hectares of land each year has not yet been reached, Mr Padeumphone said.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 9, 2023)