ALTHOUGH it has over 257,000 safely-detonated bombs to its credit, the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) marked its 25 years in Laos with a reminder that its quest is far from over.
During a recent gathering to commemorate the presence of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the country since 1994, the Lao government expressed its gratitude to MAG for making about 73 sq km safe from mines and unexploded bombs.
The Labour and Social Welfare Ministry’s special advisor, Phoukhieo Chanthasomboune, in stressing the nation's appreciation, pointed out that help from the group will go a long way towards advancing the government’s socio-economic plans.
Work done by the UK-based MAG will help communities living with unexploded ordnances (or UXOs), and allow the government to chart poverty alleviation plans in the long run, he said, according to the Vientiane Times.
Phoukhieo said the country is grateful for help extended by the international community and NGOs in raising funds to tackle the UXO problem.
A statement from MAG noted that UXOs continue to be a hindrance and humanitarian threat to many communities because they affect their daily lives. Many still face threats on their farmlands, near their homes, or when they walk to work or school.
MAG Laos director Bill Marsden said that aside from clearing mines, there is also a need to educate communities about the risks surrounding them.
MAG staff have been working with local communities to share the risk education message, help reduce the number of UXO accidents, conduct surveying work, clear and define safe land for agricultural activities, and help spur the country’s socio-economic development, he said.
Since it was sought for help by the nation in 1994, MAG has worked with the authorities to locate and destroy more than 257,000 unexploded bombs and provide risk education to more than 118,000 people.
The group has more than 900 staff as part of 54 teams working in Xieng Khuang and Khammuan provinces.
Throughout the Second Indochina War (1964-1973), over two million tonnes of ordnances were dropped on Laos, of which 30 per cent failed to explode.
Over 270 million cluster munitions were released from enemy aircraft, leaving an estimated 80 million live bombs scattered and buried around the country.
It is estimated that at least 2,000 square kilometres of land still need to be cleared as UXOs continue to contaminate vast areas of the country, lying in forests, farmlands, villages, school grounds, roads and other populated areas.