The event was part of activities organised for International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Actions on April 4. Several activities took place on Saturday and Sunday to mark the day, with a special event at Patuxay Monument in Vientiane. The event aimed to show support for UXO victims and encourage further funding for clearance activities and risk education programmes throughout Laos.
Eight survivors of UXO accidents travelled from different provinces to participate in the event, funded by Handicap International.
It was an opportunity for the survivors to tell their stories and contribute to the campaign to ban the use of these weapons.
“We aren’t afraid and are brave enough to tell our stories of survival,” said Mr Vijak Bounmy, a farmer from Xieng Khuang province.
Mr Vijak said several years ago he was using a hoe on his farm when he struck an unexploded device.
“The accident left me with only one arm; but I was lucky, I survived,” he said.
Several organisations are involved in clearing UXO in various provinces around Laos, work that contributes to strengthening national capacity for long-term humanity and poverty reduction efforts.
Although the Indochina War ended over 30 years ago, people in rural areas continue to be killed and crippled every year by unexploded bombs and munitions.
The accidents often occur while people are farming, clearing land or collecting food in forests. Sadly, many victims are young children who pick up the devices as they search for scrap metal.
Another survivor, Mrs Phet, said people will have better living conditions, physical safety, improved livelihoods and food security if the land is freed from unexploded ordnance.
“I am very happy to see many workers from different agencies clearing UXO in my province.”
“All this work saves lives and reduces the number of civilian victims, as well as developing agriculture and infrastructure,” Mrs Phet said.
Laos is the most heavily bombed nation on earth per capita, with more than two million tonnes of ordnance dropped on the country in US bombing missions during the Indochina War.
Much of the UXO lies in the country’s 47 poorest districts. The lives and prosperity of people in these areas are still threatened by the explosives that lie buried underground.
