Lao PDR
Support for Mine Action
In 2022, six donors contributed some US$51.4 million to mine action activities in Lao PDR. This represents a $2.4 million (or 4%) decrease from the $53.8 million contributed in 2021.[1]
The United States (US) is by far the largest donor to Lao PDR, primarily for the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) including cluster munition remnants.[2] In 2022, the US provided $45 million, representing 88% of the total contribution by international donors.
International contributions: 2022[3]
|
Donor |
Sector |
Amount (national currency) |
Amount (US$) |
|
United States |
Capacity-building, clearance, risk education, victim assistance |
US$45,004,000 |
45,004,000 |
|
Japan |
Capacity-building, clearance |
¥337,379,396 |
2,566,428 |
|
United Kingdom |
Capacity-building, clearance, risk education |
£1,332,374 |
1,648,280 |
|
Norway |
Clearance, risk education, victim assistance |
NOK14,193,386 |
1,476,355 |
|
Ireland |
Victim assistance |
€500,000 |
526,700 |
|
Canada |
Capacity-building, risk education |
C$259,436 |
199,351 |
|
Total |
- |
N/A |
51,421,114 |
Note: N/A=not applicable.
In 2022, the government of Lao PDR reported a contribution of some $17,000 to its own mine action program, mainly to cover rent for the National Regulatory Authority for UXO and Mine Action (NRA) building, as well as training costs for deminers working for the national operator UXO Lao.[4]
Five-year support to mine action
In the five-year period from 2018–2022, international contributions to mine action in Lao PDR totaled more than $240 million, averaging some $48 million per year. Lao PDR was the fifth largest recipient of international support during the period.
Summary of international contributions: 2018–2022[5]
|
Year |
International contributions (US$) |
% change from previous year |
|
2022 |
51,421,114 |
-4 |
|
2021 |
53,800,000 |
+15 |
|
2020 |
46,800,000 |
+11 |
|
2019 |
42,006,818 |
-9 |
|
2018 |
46,356,744 |
+22 |
|
Total |
240,384,676 |
N/A |
Note: N/A=not applicable.
[1] Canada: Canada Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form J. Ireland: Ireland Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form J. Japan: response to Monitor questionnaire by Akifumi Fukuoka, Deputy Director, Conventional Arms Division, Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 7 September 2023. Norway: Norway Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form J. United Kingdom: UK Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form I. United States: US Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA), “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” 4 April 2023. For Article 7 reports, see Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Database and Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Database.
[2] US Department of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, “U.S. Relations With Laos: Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet,” 21 May 2021.
[3] Average exchange rates for 2022: C$1.3014=US$1; €1=US$1.0534; NOK9.6138=US$1; ¥131.4589=US$1; £1=US$1.2371. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 9 January 2023.
[4] Lao PDR Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form I.
[5] See previous Support for Mine Action country profiles. ICBL-CMC, “Country Profiles: Lao PDR,” undated; ICBL, Landmine Monitor 2022 (ICBL-CMC: Geneva, November 2022); and ICBL, Landmine Monitor 2021 (ICBL-CMC: Geneva, November 2021).