Support for Mine Action
Lao PDR
In 2023, nine donors contributed some US$49.3 million to mine action activities in Lao PDR. This represents a $2.2 million (or 4%) decrease from the $51.4 million contributed in 2022.[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 2023, the US provided $36 million, representing 73% of the total contribution by international donors.
International contributions: 2023[3]
|
Donor |
Sector |
Amount (national currency) |
Amount (US$) |
|
United States |
Capacity-building, clearance, risk education, victim assistance |
US$36,000,000 |
36,000,000 |
|
Japan |
Capacity-building, clearance |
¥800,000,000 |
5,693,946 |
|
New Zealand |
Capacity-building, clearance |
NZ$3,940,390 |
2,420,582 |
|
United Kingdom |
Capacity-building, clearance, risk education |
£1,128,400 |
1,403,729 |
|
Norway |
Clearance, risk education, victim assistance |
NOK17,184,000 |
1,626,364 |
|
Ireland |
Capacity-building, clearance, risk education |
€805,000 |
870,769 |
|
Luxembourg |
Clearance, risk education |
€600,000 |
649,020 |
|
Germany |
Capacity-building, clearance, risk education |
€518,791 |
561,177 |
|
Canada |
Clearance, risk education |
C$37,603 |
27,866 |
|
Total |
- |
N/A |
49,253,453 |
Note: N/A=not applicable.
In 2023, the government of Lao PDR reported a contribution of $5,000 to its own mine action program, to cover rent for the National Regulatory Authority for UXO and Mine Action (NRA) building, and for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) tasks in provinces with no operator presence.[4]
Five-year support to mine action
In the five-year period from 2019–2023, international contributions to mine action in Lao PDR totaled close to $243.3 million, averaging some $48.7 million per year. Lao PDR was the fourth largest recipient of international support during the period.
Summary of international contributions: 2019–2023[5]
|
Year |
International contributions (US$) |
% change from previous year |
|
2023 |
49,253,453 |
-4 |
|
2022 |
51,421,114 |
-4 |
|
2021 |
53,800,000 |
+15 |
|
2020 |
46,800,000 |
+11 |
|
2019 |
42,006,818 |
-9 |
|
Total |
243,281,385 |
N/A |
Note: N/A=not applicable.
[1] Canada: Canada Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2023), Form J; and Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2023), Form I. Germany: Germany Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2023), Form J; and Germany Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2023), Form I. Ireland: Response to Monitor questionnaire by Ger Keane, Desk Officer, Department of Foreign Affairs, 6 August 2024; and Ireland Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2023), Form I. Japan: Response to Monitor questionnaire by Akifumi Fukuoka, Deputy Director, Conventional Arms Division, Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2024. Luxembourg: Response to Monitor questionnaire by Patrik Faber, Chargé de Mission, Directorate of Political Affairs, Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, 28 June 2024. New Zealand: Email from Kate de Boer, Policy Officer, Conventional Weapons, International Security and Disarmament Division, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 24 July 2024; New Zealand Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2023), Form J; and New Zealand Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2023) Form I. Norway: Response to Monitor questionnaire by Fredrik Brogeland, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Norway to Geneva, 11 October 2024. United Kingdom (UK): UK Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2023), Form I. United States (US): US Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA), “To Walk the Earth in Safety: Fiscal Year 2023: 1 October 2022–30 September 2023,” 4 April 2024. 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 2023: C$1.3494=US$1; €1=US$1.0817; NZ$1=US$0.6143; NOK10.5659=US$1; £1.2440=US$1; ¥140.5001=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 1 February 2024. Currency and currency conversions presented in the table have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Conversion into US dollars was done prior to rounding.
[4] Lao PDR Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2023), Form I.
[5] See previous Support for Mine Action country profiles. International Campaign to Ban Landmines - Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC), “Country Profiles: Lao PDR,” undated; and ICBL-CMC, “Country Profiles: Lao PDR (archives),” undated.