LAOS

Lao People's Democratic Republic suffered ground battles as well as extensive bombing during the Indo-China War era, especially between the years of 1964 to1973. The fighting caused widespread contamination of the land with UXO, still causing death and injury over 25 years after the end of the war.   In 2002, 99 new mine and UXO casualties were reported.  Nearly half of the reported casualties were children under the age of 18.  Although these numbers are worth mentioning, these statistics do not reveal the countrywide situation as data is only collected in just over half of the affected provinces.  In many parts of the country, the scrap metal industry has become the leading cause of casualties.

Survivor Assistance Partner

LAO-SA-POW

POWER, working with the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterpise (COPE) of the Lao PDR, provides services to landmine and UXO survivors, along with other disabled people throughout Laos via prosthetic and orthotics centers.  As the only provider of mobility devices in this country, COPE's role is critical to assisting survivors in regaining mobility.