MAG has been clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Lao PDR since 1994. Our visitor information centre on the Mekong river in Vientiane provides the complete UXO story – a story that astounds visitors – while there is now also a dedicated information centre in Phonsavanh.
Lao PDR is the most heavily bombed nation in the world per capita. At least two million tonnes of ordnance was dropped on the country between 1964 and 1973. It is estimated that up to 30 per cent of this ordnance did not detonate. Decades later, UXO still contaminates rural areas in half the country. UXO can explode if disturbed, and continues to kill and injure people. It also keeps people in poverty by preventing them from using land.
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Xieng Khouang |
Visitor Information Centres – locations
Vientiane: on the Mekong riverfront road a little upstream (in the next block) from the Beau Rivage hotel and the Spirit House bar. Opening hours are 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Phonsavanh (Xieng Khouang): we now have a dedicated information centre in our ‘old’ office on the main street (Thanon Laek 7, often known just as ‘road number 7’), and have moved our office elsewhere in town. Opening hours are 8am to 8pm every day (these may be reduced outside the Nov–April peak season).
Tel: 021 252004/251849, email: maglao@laopdr.com
What can you experience?
• ‘Fly’ over Lao PDR using software that shows aerial bombing data. A version of Google Earth has been combined with bombing records to give a bird’s eye view of the incredible quantity of ordnance dropped.
• Examine a comprehensive UXO collection with detailed information regarding the intended purpose of the ordnance, the quantity dropped and the methodology used for demolition.
• Watch slideshows featuring photo essays by professional photographers, on subjects such as scrap metal collection and MAG’s all-female UXO clearance teams.
• Learn about the UXO story – what UXO is, how it got there, how it affects people and how MAG clears it.
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The highly-acclaimed Bomb Harvest documentary is screened daily in Phonsavanh. |
• Support MAG – make a donation and receive a funky t-shirt (choose from a range of designs, colours and sizes) and/or a unique set of postcards.
The Phonsavanh centre also offers screenings of relevant documentaries every evening. We are the only place in town where you can watch the Australian documentary Bomb Harvest (Lemur Films, 2007).
We are also the only place with the filmmakers' permission to screen Bombies (Bullfrog Films, 2001). Both films feature MAG Lao and are screened every evening. Screenings in the day may also be possible; ask the staff.
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Visitor Centres - donation guidelines |
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Amount |
Pays for... |
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$12 |
Clearing 10 square metres of contaminated land |
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$25 |
500 metres of Danger! marking tape |
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$55 |
One week’s salary for a Lao UXO technician |
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$100 |
Stretcher for medic |
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$200 |
GPS unit for Community Liaison teams to mark UXO location |
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$450 |
Electronic exploder unit for controlled destruction of UXO |
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$1,000 |
Firing cable (5,000 metres) |
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$3,700 |
One month’s salary for a 14-person UXO Clearance team |
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$4,500 |
Deep search UXO detector |
Links:
- Bomb Harvest [external link]
- National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action in Lao PDR (NRA) - external link]
