Savannakhet sees progress in UXO clearance

More than 9,000 people in Savannakhet province have benefited from an unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance project by Handicap International, according to an evaluation meeting held at the provincial administration office on Monday.


The meeting's participants evaluated the progress of the Integrated UXO Threat Reduction project's three main activities - clearance, risk education and community liaising - and discussed challenges and achievements that took place in 2009-2010.


The project has cleared about 623,000 m2 of land of which 55 percent was designated for agriculture and 45 percent for development. In addition, about 30,000 people took part in risk education activities and about 60 families benefited from an initiative to clear UXO from household garden plots.


The main funding for the work was provided through the European Union and UNICEF and focused on the three most contaminated areas in the province - Sepon, Vilabouly and Nong districts.


The project's goal was to contribute to poverty reduction in UXO affected villages through risk removal, which provides opportunities for increased agricultural production and improves access to essential services including healthcare and education.


Vice Chairman of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO/Mine Action Sector in Laos and Minister to the Government Office, Mr Bounheuang Duangphachanh, said UXO clearance is one of the most important and urgent tasks for rural area development and poverty reduction.


“UXO remains a major problem in Laos because it hampers socio-economic development in 15 provinces and continues to cause the death and injury of innocent people.”


“I'm happy with the result of the meeting and the project's progress. We have agreed to Handicap International's continued assistance in implementing the next phase of the project in Savannakhet province in 2011-2012,” he said.


After the meeting, the NRA delegation and staff from the Savannakhet Administration office traveled to Sepon district to meet villagers affected by UXO and survey clearance sites.


Unfortunately, the effects of cli mate change, a lack of road access to clearance sites and iron ore deposits and discarded scrap metal have slowed the progress of the mission, according to survey technician and project mana ger Mr Kingkeo Boualiphavong.


Some villagers purchased bomb scanning equipment to search for UXO themselves so they could clear their land for farming.
Sadly, the farmers' lack of experience and knowledge concerning proper removal and detonation methods has resulted in a number of fatalities and casualties, a representative from Nong district said.


Savannakhet is the most UXO contaminated province in Laos and, despite concerted efforts by provincial authorities and non-governmental organisations, unexploded ordnance remains a serious threat to the safety of local people and to development.

By Phoonsab Thevongsa 
(Latest Update September 7 , 2011)