» During the conflicts of the late 1960s/early 1970s, more than 580,000 bombing missions were carried out over Laos.
The bombing, combined with intense ground battles, left 15 of the 18 provinces in the country heavily contaminated by unexploded ordnance (UXO). UXO contamination is one of the prime factors limiting long-term development in Laos.
It diminishes food security and denies access to basic services, resulting in widespread poverty amongst rural populations. The massive scale of contamination requires long-term strategic planning and prioritisation.