What is happening in Laos?

Laos is the most bombed country in the world, per capita. Two million tons of explosives were dropped on the country during the Vietnam War. But for many people, the bombing of Laos isn’t where the trauma ended. Bombs from the war are still claiming lives 45 years after the war ended.

Around a third of the bombs dropped failed to detonate at the time and have gone on to kill and maim.

Vangkhom is a village in Lao’s Khammouane province which has an estimated 300,000 unexploded bombs in the ground. Over half of the people who live in Vangkhom are children. 

“I worry that some of my students, who are naturally curious, will play with a bomb. Some bombs are colourful and catch the eyes of children. Therefore, I have to look after them every step they take, I am always worried.” Seeyon, a teacher at a Vangkhom school.

Noud, age 11, is in his final year of school in Vangkhom and has already helped keep his classmates safe. After receiving risk education from MAG, Noud found and reported two bombs next to the school playground.

Everyday 15 people are killed or injured by landmines and unexploded bombs across the world. More has to be done to stop this threat. We need to come together and take action.

Our deminers risk their lives to find and destroy landmines and unexploded bombs so that they can remove them and stop further casualties. They are driven by a determination to give their own communities - their friends and family - back a life of safety, sometimes decades after the conflict ended.

Continued conflict across the world means our deminers are more vital than ever.

Even when the fighting ends, landmines and unexploded bombs remain — causing death, injury, and suffering for decades to come.

It is not fair and it is not right that families will be trapped in fear long after conflict ends.

No one should live with the legacy of war.