The Australian government has contributed a further AU$1 million through the UXO Trust Fund, to support UXO clearance, risk awareness and rehabilitation programmes in Laos.
Australian Ambassador to Laos Ms Lynda Worthaisong and UNDP Resident Representative Mr Minh Pham shake hands at a ceremony to mark International UXO/Mine Awareness Day.
Ms Worthaisong said that Australia is a longstanding supporter of UXO action in Laos. “Since 1996, we have provided an estimated AU$24 million for UXO clearance, risk education and UXO survivors. I am very pleased to be announcing further support to the sector on the occasion of International UXO/Mine Awareness Day.”
The additional AU$1 million will go towards various initiatives which are funded through the UXO Trust Fund. The fund is managed and administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to increase government ownership, and improve coordination and the effective prioritisation of work in the UXO sector.
Australia was one of the first donors to the UXO Trust Fund, and this year’s contribution follows on from about AU$5 million provided by the Australian government since the fund was established. It is now the single biggest donor to the fund.
UNDP Resident Representative Mr Minh Pham was also in attendance at the Awareness Day ceremony. He thanked the Australian government for their generous contribution and ongoing commitment to UXO clearance in Laos.
“We welcome this support through the trust fund, which will ensure UXO work is achieving national development priorities,” he said. “Laos will not be able to clear UXO contaminated land if it works without the assistance of international organisations.”
The funding will go towards the core activities of the National Unexploded Ordnance Programme in Laos, otherwise known as UXO Lao. It is not earmarked and will be used to support various initiatives including clearing unexploded ordnance, roving tasks, surveys, risk education and training.
The presence and scale of UXO contamination in Laos is a major impediment to poverty reduction programmes and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Over 300 people are killed or injured in UXO accidents every year, while many times more are maimed or injured and the burden is born by poor families who can least afford it.
The presence of UXO prevents safe access to agricultural land which is pivotal to the livelihoods of the rural population. Extra resources for UXO clearance are also required before development initiatives such as road building, tourism and school construction can take place.
In recognition of the long-term negative impacts of UXO on affected communities, the Lao government has adopted an additional MDG on reducing the impact of UXO.
The UXO Trust Fund helps to ensure that clearance work and other initiatives are coordinated with the government’s national development priorities as outlined in the 7th National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2011 to 2015.
Source: Vientiane Times
By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update April 05, 2012)
By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update April 05, 2012)
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