UXO LAO: BACKGROUND

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.

UXO Lao is a Nationally Executed (NEX) Project under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare with UNDP providing program oversight and program assurance.

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, Saravane, Champasack, Sekong, and Attapeu.) In every province, the provincial office works closely with their respective Provincial Labour and Social Welfare Departments and coordinates with other departments such as health, education, agriculture, and forestry for work planning purposes.

Mandate:

Reduce the number of casualties caused by unexploded ordnance, and

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