LaosLaos Still Littered with Unexploded Bombs
More than five decades after the end of the Vietnam War, unexploded bombs and landmines remain a threat in Laos. Local and international agencies are working to clear the countryside of these dangers.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Over 50 years after the Vietnam War ended, Laos is still contaminated with unexploded ordnance, including bombs, mines, mortar rounds, and bullets. These remnants of war have caused countless deaths and injuries.
A recent discovery in a field on the outskirts of Ban Napia village in northeastern Laos highlights the ongoing threat. A 'bombie' was found about 20cm under the surface, and experts from UXO Laos identified two other targets nearby, which were later destroyed in controlled detonations.
Thong Phet, an 18-year-old novice monk at the time, lost his left arm and sustained serious injuries to his right hand when a UXO detonated in the early 1970s. He recalls US aircraft dropping bombs close to his village and now wants his pasture to be cleared of munitions so he can farm safely.
The UXO Laos Explosive Ordnance Risk Education team is teaching children in Ban Napia about the dangers of unexploded ordnance. Between 1964 and 1973, over 2 million tons of explosive ordnance were dropped on Laos, with around 30% failing to detonate.
The Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, a non-profit group, assists survivors of unexploded ordnance incidents and operates a museum in Vientiane. The museum features exhibits, including artificial legs provided to victims of the bombing campaign.
Laos is set to host the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in September, prompting local and international agencies to step up efforts to rid the countryside of unexploded bombs and landmines.
An estimated 270 million 'bombies' were dropped on Laos, each containing a small charge surrounded by dozens of metal spheres designed to maim and kill. The bombing campaign has had a lasting impact on the country and its people.
Key facts
- Over 2 million tons of explosive ordnance were dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973.
- Around 30% of the ordnance failed to detonate and remains a threat.
- An estimated 270 million 'bombies' were dropped on Laos.
- Laos is set to host the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in September.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The situation in Laos is complex, with both the government and international agencies working to address the issue of unexploded ordnance. The upcoming conference on cluster munitions is likely to bring attention to the problem. Efforts to clear the countryside of these dangers are ongoing.
Positive
The work of organizations like UXO Laos and the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise is helping to make a difference in the lives of those affected by unexploded ordnance. The conference on cluster munitions may lead to increased international cooperation to address the issue.
Negative
The presence of unexploded bombs and landmines in Laos is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war. The failure to clear these dangers has resulted in countless deaths and injuries, and the problem persists decades after the conflict ended.
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