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UXO Vulnerability and Poverty Eradication

UXO Vulnerability and Poverty Eradication. ERI, STEA, Lao PDR Sub-regional Conference on Poverty Environment Nexus, June 21 – 22, 2006, Vientiane, Lao PDR. 22% of villages in Lao PDR are contaminated with UXOs. Percent of Villages in District Having UXO problems

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UXO Vulnerability and Poverty Eradication

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  1. UXO Vulnerability and Poverty Eradication ERI, STEA, Lao PDR Sub-regional Conference on Poverty Environment Nexus, June 21 – 22, 2006, Vientiane, Lao PDR

  2. 22% of villages in Lao PDR are contaminated with UXOs Percent of Villages in District Having UXO problems UXO problem High UXO problem

  3. Approximately 580,000 aerial bombing missions dropped over two million tonnes of explosive ordnance. Around 30% of explosives failed to function 15 of the country’s 18 provinces were significantly contaminated 22% of villages reported a presence of UXO Over 50% of all agricultural land

  4. Numbers of UXOs found by villagers during their daily activity within a year in 6 villages

  5. UXO contamination is correlated with higher district poverty • UXO contamination is one of the main causes of poverty and restricts the local potentials to increase their livelihood condition.

  6. Correlation between UXO Contamination and Key Indicators 1995 - 98

  7. Many remote districts in the South are mostly populated by small ethnic groups with special difficulties (Lao Theung)UXOs are an additional issue they have to cope with Shares of total population in 6 villages in Kaleum district

  8. In Kaleum, high contamination is around district town Selected Villages: Pak Xay, La Kai, Kroung, Bak, Proy, Trak

  9. In UXO affected villages, swidden agriculture is often one of the least dangerous activities Where are UXOs in villages? What do they generate? • In swiddens: limited risk because UXOs explode when fire and no plowing • In paddy fields: Risk when plowing, impossible to open new paddy field unless decontamination • Along rivers: Risk when fishing and river water use and collection • In village center & along roads: Risk in daily activities, eg. cooking, impossible to build new school unless decontamination • In forests: Limited risks, because people know location

  10. UXO impact nowadays is less risks of accident than limitations of livelihoods • Since the first mission of UXO LAO officials in late 1997, UXO caused accidents have significantly reduced. However, villagers are still having a high UXO risks.

  11. There are new villages in UXO-affected areas in the South

  12. Table 3.10 Past & Current Trends in Six Villages Surveyed Village community are looking for alternative livelihood sources • Villagers have adapted to UXO contamination over the last 3 - 4 decades Source : PEN village survey (ERI). HH = household.

  13. Recommendations • UXO clearance can only be very slow but deserves increased international assistance as a win-win poverty environment solution. • In UXO affected districts, diversified income generation should be supported • Improved rural water supply is an important need in UXO affected villages • Resettlement policy in UXO affected areas (South) should take full account of risks related to UXOs

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