Lao PDR

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 19 November 2018

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.