Laos Faces Urgent UXO Challenges Post-Conflict
CISR
This headline is brought to you by the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR) which works to support resilience and recovery in global communities affected by war and conflict.
(Bernama) Laos continues to grapple with the deadly legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO), with severe implications for safety, economy, and daily life. Over 60% of UXO casualties this year involved children, largely due to accidents while playing. Nearly 2,000 square kilometers of Lao land—almost 2.5 times Singapore's size—remains contaminated by UXO, impacting 15 of the country's 18 provinces. The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has worked in Laos for over 30 years, clearing 136 square kilometers of UXO-affected land, which has directly benefited over 1.18 million people.
Despite these efforts, contamination persists due to complex terrain, limited funding, and ongoing discovery of hazardous areas. MAG has also conducted over 4,500 risk education sessions to improve awareness among vulnerable communities. However, Laos’s economic rebuilding remains challenged by restricted agricultural land and high inflation, with UXO contamination exacerbating underdevelopment and limiting opportunities for safe farming and tourism.
