UXO sector discusses 10-year plan

More than 30 representatives from donor countries, international organisations and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance agencies gathered in Vientiane yesterday to discuss a 10-year strategy plan for Laos.

“This meeting will discuss the draft plan before it is sent to the government for consideration and approval,” Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Alounkeo Kittikhoun said.

Pursuant to the Vientiane Action Plan adopted by states party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions at their first meeting in Vientiane in November last year, Laos is developing a 10-year plan, which sets out concrete and measurable steps, action and targets to be completed during that time period in its practical implementation of the convention.

The plan takes into consideration, and is consistent with, other government policies and programmes. These are the National Strategic Programmes for Poverty Eradication, the National Strategic Plan for the UXO Sector in Laos, “The Safe Path Forward II” for 2011-2020, the seventh National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2011-15, which includes the concepts of the poverty eradication programme, and the National Standards for UXO Mine Action in Laos.

NRA consultant Dr Maligna Saignavongs said the main strategic objectives of the plan are the clearance and release of priority land in accordance with national standards and treaty obligations.

Since UXO-contaminated areas throughout the country total around 87,000 sq km, it will not be possible to clear all UXO within 10 years, he said.

Given the fact that poverty is closely linked with UXO contamination, clearance will therefore be focused on the 42 poorest contaminated districts.

The 2008 sector evaluation report estimated that about 200,000 hectares seem to be suitable for agriculture, but it would take about 50 years to clear them of UXO at today's clearance rates.

“Nevertheless, we could select about 22,000 hectares most needed within these 200,000 hectares, which could be cleared in 16 years,” he said. “Assuming that our clearance capacity would be within 5,000 hectares per year, we would be able to clear within 50,000 hectares in 10 years,” Dr Maligna added.

Consequently, the number of UXO casualties would fall from 300 to less than 75 per year by 2010. Up to 2008, the number of casualties was estimated at 300 per year; in 2009 and 2010 the number fell to less than 117 per year.

He said the plan also ensures that the medical and rehabilitation needs of all UXO survivors are met in line with treaty obligations.

According to a draft strategic plan presented to the Victim Assistance Technical Working Group in May 2011, the following actions would be required between 2011 and 2015: the government pass a decree on the rights of persons with disabilities into law at the earliest possible opportunity and a provisional budget for victim assistance from 2011-15 is set at more than US$23 million.

Mobilisation of national and international resources for victim assistance remains challenging. While an increase in international resources was reported in recent months, the Lao government has generally not been able to fund services for the disabled.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update June 15, 2011