UXO casualties down but challenges remain

Vongphone lost his hand to a cluster bombPhoto: Toby Fricker/IRIN

VIENTIANE, 6 July 2011 (IRIN) - The number of people involved in unexploded ordnance (UXO) accidents in Laos, the world's most cluster-bombed country, has dropped from an average of 300 a year to 117 in the past two years, according to government statistics. 




However, the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action (NRA) estimates more than 200,000 hectares of prime agricultural land still have to be cleared. 

From 1964 to 1973, US aircraft dropped more than two million tonnes of ordnance on Laos, including 277 million cluster sub-munitions, 30 percent of which failed to detonate, according to the NRA. 

The situation today is that all 17 provinces of the country and approximately 25 percent of villages suffer from various degrees of UXO contamination, the NRA reports. 

Yet despite the drop in casualties, 49-year-old farmer Vongphone still feels nervous every time he steps into his rice fields, his only source of livelihood. He lost his left hand five years ago when he set off a cluster bomb while farming. 

"There is still a lot of UXO contamination on the farmland and people are afraid. It's hard for me to work with only one hand. I can't even support myself and the family is poorer," he told IRIN. 

The government's new 10-year plan was presented at the Geneva inter-sessional meeting for the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which bans the use, stockpiling and production of cluster munitions, on 27 June. 

It focused on clearing land in the 42 poorest districts affected - mostly along the old Ho Chi Minh trail running from the north to the south along the Vietnamese border. 

The government has prioritized about 22,000 hectares to be cleared in the next 16 years. 

"We need to give people more access to land and improve public utilities and infrastructure such as rural roads. The communication between villages and districts is missing," said Maligna Saignavongs, a senior government adviser to the NRA. 

UXO Lao, the national clearance operator, supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), has cleared about 24,000ha since starting operations in 1996. 

In Xieng Khouang Province, northern Lao, 31-year-old Khamtoun and her team are clearing land for a new village development project. In just two weeks, 108 unexploded cluster bombs have already been found. 

Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Laos

UXO clearance outside a school

"I want to clear all the land so people will be safe from the bombs and then people can earn their livelihoods safely," Khamtoun told IRIN. 

Meanwhile, the long-term impact on communities is severe. 

Vongphone and his wife Bounmee had to take three of their children out of school after his accident. "We didn't have enough money to support them. Even the roof of our house was broken and I had to ask for support from the neighbour to help fix it," said Bounmee. 

The 2008 CCM entered into force in August 2010. The government of Laos hosted the First Meeting of States Parties in November 2010, which resulted in the adoption of the Vientiane Declaration and Action Plan. 

Under Article 6 of the Convention, all states in a position to do so are obliged to provide assistance to those affected. This is critical for Laos if it is to scale up its work in the UXO sector. 

Saleumxay Kommasith from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told IRIN he hoped the Vientiane Action Plan would ultimately result in more international funding. 

In 2010, the UN said about US$30 million a year was required for the UXO sector. 

In the treaty's inaugural year, cluster munitions have been used by non-signatory states, including Thailand and Libya, according to Human Rights Watch.

Laos presents 10 year plan for UXO clearance

Laos has unveiled its 10 year plan to implement the Oslo Convention on Cluster Munitions to development partners as part of efforts to mobilise funding to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Assistant Minister of Fore ign Affairs Mr Alounkeo Kittikhoun and Lao delegates presented the plan at the mid-term meeting of States Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions held from June 27 to 30 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The meeting discussed the progression of state parties in implementing the convention since their first meeting in November 2010 in Vientiane and will prepare a report to be adopted at the second meeting of States Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which will be held in Lebanon in September.

The meeting is also discussing coordinating mechanisms to monitor and encourage more effective implementation of the convention.

About 400 delegates from 70 member countries, observer nations, international organisations and NGOs are attending the meeting.

Mr Alounkeo is representing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith at the meeting.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update June 30, 2011)

Minister of Labour and Social Welfare receives Japan UXO delegation

 By Vinnaly 

 (KPL) Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Mrs Onchanh Thammavong received here courtesy visit of the President of Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS), Mr. Hajime Masaki his delegation, on 23 June.

The President of Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS), Mr. Hajime Masaki and his delegation visited Laos to join an opening ceremony of the Project for Humanitarian UXO Clearance in Lao Ngam District, Saravane province.

The project was granted by the Government of Japan worth 966,950 US dollars to Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS), a Japanese NGO which has been working in Laos mainly in the area of unexploded ordnance UXO clearance.

Minister Onchanh expressed welcome and highly valued the visit and work of Mr. Masaki and his delegation.
So far, the JMAS has provided fund for UXOs clearance and technical term contributing to the living conditions of Lao people in rural area and live them in a safe place poverty and reduction.

She has pledged to provide strong cooperation with the JMAS.
The JMAS implemented the UXO Clearance project in Xiengkhouang for 5 years in cooperation with the UXO Laos and in Attapeu for one year.

UK extends support for UXO clearance

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has received US$3.9 million from the UK government's Department for International Development to continue the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos.

The National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mines or Action Sectors (NRA) and MAG signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday to kick off the clearance of target areas over the next two and a half years.

Munitions are located and detonated using five clearance teams and two roving teams in the provinces of Xieng Khuang and Khammuan, MAG Lao Country Programme Manager Mr David Hayter said.
“MAG expects to clear bombs from at least 7 million square metres, through more than 1,200 roving tasks in eight districts,” he said.

The programme will also work with partner agencies in Savannakhet and Xekong provinces when needed.
Laos is severely affected by large numbers of UXO items spread across a very wide area. Their presence not only poses a risk to local people when they are carrying out normal activities such as farming, but also prevents or delays development activities, Mr Hayter said.

In addition to these services to Lao communities, the project aims to help Laos manage its UXO programme in the long term, so over US$200,000 will go to support the strengthening of the NRA.

In recognition of MAG's long partnership with the Lao National UXO Programme, almost US$40,000 will be provided to the organisation for training costs.

This substantial investment by the British government recognises not only that bombs need to be cleared from Lao soil, but also that the Lao authorities are central to ensuring the quality and efficiency of the process, Mr Hayter said.

The grant also makes a major contribution to Laos' efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) including MDG 9, a Laos-specific goal covering the UXO challenge.

British Ambassador designate Ambassador Asif Ahmad said thousands of people in Laos live a precarious and dangerous existence with the constant threat of permanent injury or death from unexploded ordnance.
The UK government is committed to continuing its efforts to ensure that the people of Laos can go about their daily lives free from the threat of UXO, he said.

“We believe it is vital that land is returned to productive agriculture; we think it is essential that children can walk to school without worrying about hazards on the path they walk on, Mr Asif Ahmad said.

Farming and education offer people the chance to lift themselves from poverty and live life to the full. But the cost of doing so cannot be the lives of innocent people, the ambassador said.

From 1964 to 1973 the equivalent of a planeload of bombs was dropped on Laos every eight minutes for nine years, amounting to over 2 million tonnes.

An estimated 30 percent of ordnance failed to explode on impact, mostly larger bombs and cluster sub-munitions.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update June 27, 2011)

Japan funds UXO clearance in Saravan

The Japanese government will provide grant assistance worth almost US$1 million to the Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS), according to the Japan Embassy to Laos.

According to a press release from the embassy, JMAS is a Japanese NGO working in Laos to carry out an unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance project in Laongam district, Saravan province, under the Grant Assistance Scheme for Japanese NGO Projects.

The project was officially launched at a ceremony held on June 21 in Laongam district and attended by Japanese Ambassador to Laos Ms Junko Yokota, Country Representative of JMAS Mr Junichi Kurokawa and local government officials.

Under the project, JMAS will conduct UXO clearance across a 200 hectare area in Laongam district through a private Lao company.

The land cleared by the project will be used to grow medicinal plants, which can earn farmers more money than traditional crops.

The agricultural aspect of the project will be carried out in cooperation with local farmers. It is expected the project will result in new job opportunities for local people and the improvement of farmers' living standards.
JMAS has previously carried out UXO clearance projects in Xieng Khuang province in cooperation with UXO Lao and also in Attapeu province. This is the organisation's first project in Saravan province.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update June 22, 2011)

Japan supports UXO clearance in Saravane

(KPL) The Government of Japan has granted an assistance worth 966,950 US dollars to Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS), a Japanese NGO which has been working in Laos mainly in the area of unexploded ordnance UXO clearance, to carry out the project for Humanitarian UXO Clearance in Lao Ngam District, Saravane.

The assistance by the Japanese government is under the Grant Assistance Scheme for Japanese NGO’s Projects.

The opening ceremony of the above project was held on 21 June 2011 at Lao Ngam District in Saravane Province with the attendance by Governor of Saravane, Ambassador of Japan to the Lao P.D.R, Ms. Junko YOKOTA, and Country Representative of JMAS, Mr. Junichi KUROKAWA and relevant officials and authorities.

Under this project, JMAS will conduct the UXO clearance on 200 ha in Lao Ngam District, using a private Lao company for UXO clearance. The land secured by this project will be utilized as agricultural area, such as cultivation of medical herb whose additional value is higher than traditional crops, in cooperation with local farmers and Japanese company. As a result, it is expected that job opportunities for local residents will be created and farmers/ living standard will be improved.

JMAS implemented the UXO Clearance project in Xiengkhouang for 5 years in cooperation with the UXO Laos and in Attapeu for one year. This is JMAS’s first time to work in Saravane.

Source: KPL Lao News Agency
June 22, 2011

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