Lao PDR
Support for Mine Action
In 2018, seven donors contributed some US$46.4 million to support mine action in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), a $7.2 million (or 19%) increase compared to the $39 million contributed in 2017.[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 65% of all international funding in 2018.
In 2018, the government of Lao PDR reported a contribution of some $618,000 to its own mine action program, mainly to cover administrative costs such as rent, equipment, and personnel expenses.[3]
International contributions: 2018[4]
|
Donor |
Sector |
Amount (national currency) |
Amount (US$) |
|
US |
Various |
US$30,000,000 |
30,000,000 |
|
Japan |
Capacity-building and clearance |
¥332,926,461 |
11,044,758 |
|
Norway |
Clearance, risk education and victim assistance |
NOK21,341,000 |
2,624,388 |
|
United Kingdom |
Capacity-building and risk education |
£1,387,169 |
1,853,674 |
|
Ireland |
Clearance |
€500,000 |
590,850 |
|
Luxembourg |
Clearance |
€150,000 |
177,255 |
|
Canada |
Risk education |
C$78,700 |
65,819 |
|
Total |
46,356,744 |
With more than $195 million received from 2014–2018, international contributions to Lao PDR have averaged some $39 million per year.
Summary of international contributions: 2014–2018[5]
|
Year |
Amount (US$) |
|
2018 |
46,356,744 |
|
2017 |
39,113,542 |
|
2016 |
34,146,649 |
|
2015 |
38,214,976 |
|
2014 |
37,251,423 |
|
Total |
195,083,334 |
[1] Canada, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2019; and Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, April 2019; Ireland, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Annex, 2 April 2019; Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, April 2019; Japan, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2019; response to Monitor questionnaire by Steve Hoscheit, Desk Disarmament, Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, 9 April 2019; Norway, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Annex, 30 April 2019; United Kingdom, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2019; and US Department of State, “To walk the earth in safety 2019,” 3 April 2019.
[2] The White House, “Fact sheet: US-Laos relations,” 6 September 2016.
[3] Lao PDR, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, p. 17, April 2019.
[4] Average exchange rate for 2018: C$1.1957=US$1. €1=US$1.1817; ¥110.4=US$1; NOK8.1318=US$1; £1=US$1.3363. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2019.
[5] See previous Monitor profiles. Total for international support in 2017 has been updated as a result of revised US funding data.