UXO Annual Report 2012

UXO Annual Report 2012

October 28, 2013

Unexploded ordnance, or UXO, are explosive weapons that failed to detonate when they were fired, dropped, launched or projected, and still pose the risk of exploding. UXO contamination in the Lao PDR consists of large bombs, rockets, grenades, artillery munitions, mortars, landmines, cluster munitions and submunitions.


The Lao PDR today is one of the most heavily UXO and cluster munitions affected countries in the world, with up to 25 percent of the country’s
villages contaminated by the presence of these remnants of war. More than 270 million bombies were dropped over the Lao PDR during the nine years of confl ict (1964-1973) and an esti mated 80 million failed to detonate, remaining live and scattered throughout the country. In addition, over four million large bombs were dropped and extensive ground battles in predominantly the Northern provinces left behind substantial amounts of other unexploded weaponry and munitions.

Highlights

  • Lao PDR is the most heavily bombed country, per capita, in history
  • 25% of villages in Laos are contaminated with UXO
  • 14 of Lao PDR’s 17 provinces suffer UXO contamination
  • Over 2 million tons of ordnance were dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973
  • 580,000 bombing missions were flown over Laos
Document Type
Regions and Countries