Lao PDR
Support for Mine Action
In 2017, 9 donors contributed US$37.9 million to support mine action in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), a 10% increase compared to the $34 million in 2016.[1]
In September 2016, the United States (US) announced it would provide $90 million over three years to support unexploded ordinance (UXO) survey and clearance operations.[2] Consequently, the US provided nearly 80% of all international funding in 2017.
In 2017, the government of Lao PDR reported a contribution of some $750,000 to its own mine action program, mainly to cover administrative costs such as rent, equipment, and personnel expenses.[3]
International contributions: 2017[4]
Donor |
Sector |
Amount (national currency) |
Amount (US$) |
US |
Various |
US$30,000,000 |
30,000,000 |
European Union |
Various |
€2,400,000 |
2,712,240 |
Norway |
Clearance and victim assistance |
NOK21,220,000 |
2,566,553 |
Japan |
Capacity-building and clearance |
¥118,668,500 |
1,058,595 |
United Kingdom |
Clearance and risk education |
£476,277 |
613,921 |
Ireland |
Clearance |
€500,000 |
565,050 |
Luxembourg |
Clearance and risk education |
€150,000 |
169,515 |
Sweden |
Clearance and risk education |
SEK1,000,000 |
117,055 |
Canada |
Capacity-building and risk education |
C$78,700 |
60,613 |
Total |
|
|
37,863,542 |
With more than $182 million received from 2013–2017, international contributions to Lao PDR have averaged some $36 million per year.
Summary of international contributions: 2013–2017[5]
Year |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year (US$) |
2017 |
37,863,542 |
+10 |
2016 |
34,146,649 |
-10 |
2015 |
38,214,976 |
+3 |
2014 |
37,251,423 |
+7 |
2013 |
34,827,039 |
-14 |
Total |
182,303,629 |
|
[1] Canada, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 1 May 2018; Japan, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2018; Sweden, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 23 April 2018. United Kingdom, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2018. Emails from Leah Murphy, Desk Officer, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Section, Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 25 September 2018; from Ingrid Schoyen, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 September 2018; from Katherine Baker, Foreign Affairs Officer, Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State, 9 and 24 October 2018; response to Monitor questionnaires by Frank Braun, Desk Disarmament, Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 14 March 2018; and by Frank Meeussen, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control, European External Action Service, 25 October 2018.
[2] The White House, “Fact sheet: US-Laos relations,” 6 September 2016.
[3] Lao PDR, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 26 April 2018.
[4] Average exchange rate for 2017: C$1.2984=US$1. €1=US$1.1301; ¥112.1=US$1; NOK8.2679=US$1; £1=US$1.289; SEK8.543=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 11 January 2018.
[5] See previous Monitor profiles. Totals for international support in 2016, 2015, and 2014 have been updated as a result of revised EU and US funding data.