A funding of about US$ 9.1 million provided by the government of the United States of American and Norway aims to support Laos’ government efforts in clearance of target areas in Champassak, Saravan, Sekong and Attapeu provinces.
The two governments have continued their long-term commitments to support the UXO sector in Laos, with the combined total of the funds committed to Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)to support survey and clearance operations in these four southern provinces.
Head of the Political and Economic Affairs Section and Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Vientiane, Mr P. Daniel O’Hara, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting the UXO sector.
To date, NPA has surveyed more than 672 villages in Champassak Saravan, Xekong and Attapeu provinces.
These surveys enable humanitarian clearance operators to more accurately and effectively target areas for clearance, he said. “This is particularly important as our collective UXO work shifts focus from surveying to clearing high priority Confirmed Hazardous Areas.”
An amendment to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) was approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 30, and signed on June 10, by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare’s National Regulatory Authority for the UXO Sector (NRA) and NPA in Vientiane, and is valid until March 31, 2023.
Source: Lao News Agency