LAO PDR Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s (Lao PDR) contamination is primarily from ERWs, specifically CMR, as a legacy from the 2nd Indochina war in the 1960s and 1970s. Anti-personnel mines and anti-vehicle mines are also present in Lao PDR but to a lesser extent. The exact level of contamination is unknown; however, it is believed to be widespread according to available information, especially when it comes to CMR. In this sense, contamination caused by unexploded submunitions has been considered the highest in the world. 14 , 15 In 2019, Lao PDR estimated its CMR contamination to be more than 8,000 km 2 . 16 A nationwide survey is currently being undertaken in Lao PDR which will enable the establishment of a national baseline and to assess the contamination level. 17
Lao PDR primarily refers to its mine action sector as an unexploded ordnance (UXO) sector, due to the fact that contamination is predominantly caused by UXO 18 as opposed to landmines. In this study, mine action will be used as an umbrella term and refers to both mine action and UXO sectors, in order to allow for a standardised denomination across the two case studies.
The UXO sector in Lao PDR is managed by the National Regulatory Authority (NRA). 19 UNDP, UNICEF, and other stakeholders supported the establishment of the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao) in 1996. 20 Under its ongoing project (2017–2021), Moving Towards Achieving SDG 18: Removing the UXO Obstacle to Development in Lao PDR, the UNDP has been providing programmatic and technical support to the national institutions within the UXO sector (the NRA and UXO Lao). 21
Lao PDR has not acceded to the APMBC, but is a State Party to the CCM, to the CCW including its Amended Protocol II and Protocol V, as well as to the CRPD.
Community meeting, Lao PDR
Mine action case studies
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