Organization

The Lao Government established the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao) with the support of UNDP, UNICEF, and other stakeholders through Prime Minister’s Decree Number 49, dated 13 February 1996, working under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. Until beginning of 2013, UXO Lao was transferred from Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to the National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication. But at the beginning of 2016, UXO Lao was transferred from the National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication back to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.

UXO Lao maintains its National Office in Vientiane. It operates in nine of the most UXO impacted provinces in the country (Huaphanh, Luangprabang, Xiengkhuang, Khammuane, Savannakhet, Salavan, Sekong, Champasak and Attapeu). In every province, the provincial office works closely with their respective Provincial Office for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication coordinates with other departments such as health, education, agriculture, and forestry for work planning purposes.

Mandate:

1. Reduce the number of casualties caused by unexploded ordnance.

2. Increase the amount of land available for food production and other social-economic development activities.