From the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Syria, from Afghanistan to Mali unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines continue to injure and kill boys and girls, women and men.
These deadly devices remain a threat for people during conflict and for decades after. They are an ongoing humanitarian threat and a significant obstacle to sustainable development. Landmines and UXOs are an everyday reality for people in over 80 states or areas in the world, with tens of thousands of victims annually.
On International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (4 April), CARE Australia reminds the international community and donors that the issue has not yet gone away but that with continued support, it will.
CARE believes people living in Laos – the most bombed country in the world – need greater support to clear land that is suitable for income-generating activities. More than two million tons of ordnance was dropped on the country during the Second Indochina War (1964–1973), and up to 30 per cent of ordnance did not detonate. In Laos unexploded UXO contamination still affects more than 25 per cent of Lao villages.
CARE's work with UXOs
Since 2007 CARE, with support from AusAID and other partners, has worked with over 2,500 families from 19 villages in Sekong Province, southern Laos to improve their livelihoods by reducing the impact of UXOs. The program includes mine risk education, livelihood support, enhanced UXO survey and clearance, survivor assistance services and first-aid training.
More than 97ha of land has been cleared of over 2,500 UXOs, allowing people, especially women, to expand their rice fields and use the land to grow new crops such as coffee, or try new income-generating activities such as fish farming. Help CARE continue its work with communities in Sekong Province, Laos to clear UXOs from contaminated land so that families can start small business.