Development partners sign up to reduce UXO threat in Savannakhet

The European Commission (EC), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), French Development Agency (AFD) and Handicap International have provided more than 1.2 million euros in support of the Lao government's efforts to reduce the impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Savannakhet province.

Mr Phoukhieo Chanthasomboun and Ms Anne Rouve-Khiev shake hands after signing the memorandum of understanding . --Photo Sangkhomxay

DA memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the support was signed yesterday in Vientiane between the Lao National Regulatory Authority (NRA) and Handicap International. NRA Director Mr Phoukhieo Chanthasomboun and Country Director of Handicap International Laos Ms Anne Rouve-Khiev signed the MOU.

The assistance will go towards implementing a project from 2011 to 2012 in 53 villages in Xepon, Nong, and Vilabouly districts with the aim of protecting children, their families and communities from the UXO threat by focusing on roving and area clearance, risk reduction and community liaison, and district focus surveys.

The two-year MOU is a con tinuation of many years of collaboration between the NRA, authorities and communities in Savannakhet province and Handicap International, which has resulted in substantial achievements over past years.

“I was very impressed by the qua lity of the feedback we received from all our partners regarding our past intervention and was very pleased with the quality of dialogue between our teams, the local authorities and the National Regulator y Authority,” said Ms Rouve-Khiev.

As a major donor, the EU has, through the EU budget and bilateral assistance from 13 EU member countries, supported the UXO sector in Laos with a total estimated amount of more than 21 million euros.

Acting EU Charge d'Affaires to Laos Dr Stefan Lock said the EU is committed to continuing the efforts of Laos and supporting the achievement of Millennium Development Goal No. 9.

He added that the EU is currently finalising a new project which will aim to reduce the impacts of UXO on rural livelihoods and rural development.

Mr Phoukhieo expressed appreciation for the achievements brought about by cooperation efforts in past years and thanked the development partners for their support, adding that the NRA has learned from previous evolutions of the project and Handicap International has coordinated well to implement the project in Savannakhet province.

By T imes Reporters
(Latest Update October 18, 2011)