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MAG has been working in Laos since 1994, destroying unexploded ordnance (UXO) to provide safe access to land for agricultural development, water, roads, and infrastructural development. Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, more than 1.4 million tons of weaponry was dropped in Laos, making it one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world. Even after 40 years, many Lao communities are still highly affected by remaining UXO. An estimated 25 percent of all villages in Laos are denied access to basic necessities such as land and water due to remaining explosive remnants of war (ERW). MAG works in Xieng Khouang and Khammouane Provinces, providing a range of services with highly-trained national staff.
MAG's Laos program targets the most at-risk communities through the following activities:
- Community Liaison teams gather information from at-risk communities to identify how UXO is impacting their lives.
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams deploy to at-risk communities identified and prioritized by the Community Liaison teams.
- EOD teams locate and safely destroy dangerous items through various clearance methods.
- Mine Risk Education (MRE) is performed by local MAG employees in areas awaiting clearance, helping community members identify, avoid, and report dangerous items needing removal.
MAG's work in Laos reaches many communities made vulnerable by the overwhelming presence of UXO. By reducing the threat and removing harmful items remaining after conflict, MAG improves the livelihood and sustainability of affected communities. MAG primarily employs national staff and has contributed to the progress of gender equality in Laos with the implementation of all-female manual clearance teams. These activities and initiatives enable development and progress in Laos, and contribute to the long-term objective of reducing poverty at a national level.
"This provides enough rice for the whole year and people's lives have improved a lot."
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The citizens of Thapha village rely heavily on their rice crop as a staple of their diet. Until recently, however, there were three months each year when the people had exhausted their supplies and the new crop had not yet been harvested. This became known as the hungry season. Irrigation would allow the residents of Thapha to make a second harvest of rice each year, thus eliminating the hungry season, but UXO contamination in the surrounding area made the construction of such a system impossible. Between 2007 and 2008 MAG teams cleared more than 263 explosive items from the area, paving the way for Triangle, MAG's development partner, to construct an irrigation system that provides enough water for a second crop each year. The deputy village chief commented on the project; "This provides enough rice for the whole year and people's lives have improved a lot." |