Children the most common victims of UXO accidents, statistics reveal

More than 60 percent of the people who were injured or killed this year when unexploded forms of munition were accidentally detonated were children, officials reported at a meeting held in Vientiane last week.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, United Nations Development Programme Representative Mrs Martine Thérer, and the United States Ambassador to Laos, Ms Heather Variava.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ongoing challenges in unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance and support for victims.
According to the Director General of the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Centre in Laos, Mr Bounpheng Sisawath, 48 UXO-related incidents have occurred so far this year, in which nine people were killed.
He informed the meeting that 62.5 percent of those injured or killed were children, with most accidents caused by children playing with explosives. Such accidents accounted for 35 percent of the total, indicating an urgent need for stronger risk awareness campaigns.
Eight people were injured while digging the ground and five other people were involved in other types of accidents.
Clearance operations removed over 71,800 explosive devices from January to October this year.
Nearly 20,000 hectares of land were surveyed and marked as hazardous, with 5,275 hectares cleared, reaching just over half of the target area of 10,000 hectares.
Assistance was provided to 1,939 accident victims, with the WE organisation providing medical assistance to 26 people and mental health support to 61 individuals.
The COPE and QLA organisations offered vocational training in various trades, supported 625 people in economic activities, helped 320 individuals return to work, and advocated for the rights of 907 people with disabilities.
Mr Phoxay stressed the importance of including UXO clearance budgets in all infrastructure development plans to prevent further tragedies.
“We must ensure that all areas are cleared before embarking on new developments,” he said, urging stronger collaboration between different government agencies.
The 2025 action plan will prioritise expanding risk awareness through provincial radio broadcasts and strengthening support networks for UXO victims.
The plan also includes the training of more technicians, acquiring advanced UXO clearance equipment, and building a robust information system to improve safety in affected areas.
Ambassador Variava reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to reducing UXO hazards, calling unexploded bombs a major obstacle to the development of Laos.
The United States has provided nearly US$400 million to support UXO clearance in Laos, funding over 200 clearance teams.
Laos remains one of the world’s most UXO-affected countries, a legacy of the Indochina War. Today, these remnants of war continue to threaten lives, disrupt agriculture, and hinder rural development.

ByTimes Reporters
 (Latest Update November 4, 2024)