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| © Vientiane Times, 29/9/08 |
MAG's signing of three memorandums of understanding [MOU] with the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector in Lao PDR is featured on the front page of the country's Vientiane Times today.
Funding from international donors worth almost US$2 million will enable continuing unexploded ordnance clearance in Khammuan province, as well as benefiting community development there.
"The first [MOU] enables the continuation of an existing project funded by the Humpty Dumpty Institute and the US Department of Agriculture. This project increases education opportunities for the poorest children, in part by clearing UXO to improve food security and make school grounds safe. The project is run in cooperation with international relief and development. Funding for this new phase totals US$1.1 million.
"The second MOU is also for the continuation of an existing project, funded by the US Department of State. New funding totalling US$500,000 will allow the continued clearing of UXO [unexploded ordnance] and support of rural development work by the Triangle Generation Humanitaire.
"The third MOU is for an existing project that will now be funded by the Australian government's overseas aid programme (AusAID). About US$145,000 will be given to MAG and a further US$145,000 made available to the Lao national UXO programme. In addition, US$125,000 will be made available for this project under another MOU. One of AusAID's objectives is to reduce the impact of UXO on the poorest communities...."
The six MAG UXO clearance teams working under the three projects clear at least 180 hectares of land per year.
- Read the full article online at www.vientianetimes.org.la.
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