UXOs still pose risk to people
(KPL) About 25% of total villages in 14 provinces are at risk unexplored ordnances (UXOs), accounting for about 87,000 sq km out of total national terrain of 236,800sq km are definitely determined as at risky area of UXOs. Out of total figure, more than 12,000 sq km are high risk area and around 74,000 sq km are middle risk stage. This is according to the latest result of data collection of UXOs which was disclosed at an assessment meeting on data collection on UXO victims in five provinces, held at the Disabled People’s Centre in Vientiane Capital, 22 August. The UXO survey was launched nationwide in 1996, under theme “The UXOs impact in socio-economic development”. The UXOs is a big obstacle for livelihood of ethnic people and poses a threat to their lives. So far, the Party and Government as well as the Ministry of Public Health created an intensive policy for combatants and ethnic people who dedicated their lives to national independence over the past 32 years by offering financial assistance and expanding treatment services and rehabilitating disabled people countrywide who affected from UXOs. In addition to providing other facility and mobilizing funds from international organization to help UXO victims in 47 poorest districts. The UXOs remained during Indochina war. The national data collection on UXO accident project has been transferred by the Ministry of Public Health to the Disabled People Centre to take over responsibility to further conduct UXO victims in 10,550 villages nationwide through health network of the Ministry of Public Health. The meeting has also reviewed previous works of UXO data collection in five provinces to improve works based on poverty reduction and integrated development strategy of the Government, particularly in 47 poorest districts. The function was chaired by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Dr. Bounkuang Phichit and representative from five provinces Sayabouly, Xieng Khouang, Borikhamsay, Vientiane and Vientiane Capital attended the event. .
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