Officials gather for a photo at the project launch in Huaphan province on February 26.

UXO clearance project kicks off in Huaphan

The Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Clearance Project in Huameuang district, Huaphan province, kicked off at the Agricultural Cave in the province’s Viengxay district on February 26.

Mr Bounpheng Sisavath (left) and Mr Bounlouay Soukthivong chair the project launch.

HI’s deminer is working at a clearance site in Huameuang district, Huaphan province.

The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office at a cost of 1,818,135 Euro.
The UXO clearance operation will be implemented in 11 villages in Huameuang district where UXO-hazardous areas have been identified, with the aim of removing unexploded munitions from 85 hectares of agricultural land.
The goals of the project are for 8,471 local people to benefit from a safe environment, 779 people to have UXO-free farmland, and for 1,500 people to be given information about the risks posed by unexploded ordnance.
The project will run until December 31 this year, with a focus on freeing up land for farming and construction purposes, UXO risk education, and capacity building for project staff and partners.
Project staff will strengthen the skills of 75 deminers and government partners. Humanity and Inclusion (HI) UXO interventions, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, will increase safety and opportunities for the people of Huaphan province.

HI’s female demining team is ready to begin clearance activities in Huameuang district, Huaphan province.

The launch of the project was co-chaired by the Vice Chairman of the Huaphan Provincial Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector and Director of the provincial Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Bounlouay Soukthivong, and the Director of the Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector Office in Laos, Mr Bounpheng Sisavath.
The event was attended by representatives of the project implementation management committee from the central, provincial and district levels as well as representatives from Humanity and Inclusion.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update March 11, 2025)