Great efforts made by the Lao Government together with international support have helped reduced the number of victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the country to just 56 last year from the previous 300 each year.
The positive result was reported at a ceremony in Vientiane on August 1 to mark the 4th anniversary of the Convention on Cluster Munitions taking effect.
Chairman of the Lao National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector and Minister to the Government Office Bounheuang Douangphachanh also revealed that during 10 months from September 2013 to June this year, relevant forces in the country removed more than 72,000 items of UXO, including nearly 44,000 cluster bombs.
He emphasized that however, more than 87,000 sq.km of land in Laos are still contaminated by UXO.
Laos hopes that international donors and organisations will continue to help the country in its efforts to complete the National UXO Programme to fulfil its obligation to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and ensure a safe life for its people, the official said at the ceremony.-VNA
The positive result was reported at a ceremony in Vientiane on August 1 to mark the 4th anniversary of the Convention on Cluster Munitions taking effect.
Chairman of the Lao National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector and Minister to the Government Office Bounheuang Douangphachanh also revealed that during 10 months from September 2013 to June this year, relevant forces in the country removed more than 72,000 items of UXO, including nearly 44,000 cluster bombs.
He emphasized that however, more than 87,000 sq.km of land in Laos are still contaminated by UXO.
Laos hopes that international donors and organisations will continue to help the country in its efforts to complete the National UXO Programme to fulfil its obligation to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and ensure a safe life for its people, the official said at the ceremony.-VNA
