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(KPL) The United States continues to support Lao PDR to find and destroy unexploded ordnances (UXO) in order to reduce casualties and increase the productivity of agricultural lands to reduce poverty.
On May 29, Charge’ d’Affairs Paul Mayer joined the Director of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO Sector Mr. PhoukhieoChanthasomboune at a signing ceremony for a new MOU between NRA and the Halo Trust.
The Halo Trust will implement an additional $1.5 million in U.S. support to clear UXO from Savannakhet Province.
Paul Mayer, Charge’ d’Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane (center), joins Mr. Phoukhieo Chanthasomboune, Director of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) (right) and Mr. Jamie Graham of The Halo Trust (left) to sign an MOU on UXO clearance for Savannakhet Province.
(KPL) The United States continues to support Lao PDR to find and destroy unexploded ordnances (UXO) in order to reduce casualties and increase the productivity of agricultural lands to reduce poverty.
On May 29, Charge’ d’Affairs Paul Mayer joined the Director of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO Sector Mr. PhoukhieoChanthasomboune at a signing ceremony for a new MOU between NRA and the Halo Trust.
The Halo Trust will implement an additional $1.5 million in U.S. support to clear UXO from Savannakhet Province.
On May 8, U.S. Ambassador Daniel A. Clune announced that the United States was strengthening its commitment to the UXO sector in Laos by increasing its assistance to $13 million this year.
Since 1993, the United States has provided over $83 million in UXO-related assistance to Laos. The United States began its cooperation with Laos in the UXO sector with funding to provide victims’ assistance. Later, the United States broadened its assistance programme to include UXO clearance and risk education.
U.S. funding will continue to support the strong, positive work of the NRA, UXO-Lao,and humanitarian clearance operators like The Halo Trust, as well as additional international and local organizations.
The funding will also help support evidence-based survey. U.S. funds for clearance will focus on provinces seriously impacted by cluster munitions. Victims’ assistance will provide direct services to survivors of UXO accidents and their families and also support the capacity development of national institutions to provide victims’ assistance.
Additionally, funds will help strengthen first aid and emergency response of key health facilities and village volunteers in heavily impacted provinces.
Funding for risk awareness supports educating Lao citizens – especially children – about the dangers of UXO.
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