Road to Recovery

More than forty years after the Vietnam War ended, Laos is still one of the most heavily bombed countries in the world per person. Between 1964 and 1973, during what was called the "Secret War," the United States dropped over 2 million tons of bombs on Laos—more than the amount dropped on Europe during all of World War II. About 30% of these bombs didn’t explode on impact, leaving around 80 million unexploded bombs, known as UXO (unexploded ordnance), scattered across the country. These hidden dangers still kill and injure people, block farmland, slow down economic growth, and affect everyday life. Even with ongoing cleanup efforts, experts say it could take a hundred years or more to clear all the bombs from Laos.

Laos’s terrain, combined with the huge amount of unexploded bombs, makes clearing the land a very slow and difficult task. According to the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and other humanitarian groups, less than 1% of the dangerous land had been cleared by the early 2000s. Over the last 20 years, international funding and better technology have helped improve the cleanup efforts, but progress is still slow. The Lao government and international NGOs clear about 40,000 to 50,000 unexploded bombs each year, but tens of millions are still left.

If cleanup efforts could speed up with more funding, trained workers, and new technology, it might be possible to greatly reduce the most dangerous areas in the next 20 to 30 years. However, completely clearing every contaminated area, especially in remote and mountainous places, could take 100 years or more.

For the people living in Laos, especially in the rural provinces like Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet, and Attapeu, unexploded ordnance (UXO) is a constant threat. Many rely on farming to make a living, but much of the farmland is scattered with cluster bombs. Every planting season, farmers face the risk of accidentally setting off hidden explosives. Children are particularly at risk, often mistaking shiny bomb fragments for toys.

Over time, people have developed ways to cope out of necessity. In some villages, children are taught from a young age how to spot and avoid dangerous objects. NGOs run educational programs to help kids recognize UXO and know how to report them. In places where the land has been cleared, signs and markers help reassure the community, but the fear that danger might still be just a few feet away causes ongoing anxiety and trauma.

Despite the risks, many Laotians show incredible strength. Communities come together using local knowledge—older villagers often remember where the bombings were heaviest and share this information. Local guides help clearance teams, and some former soldiers and war survivors have even become UXO technicians themselves.

Another way people cope is through small-scale economic changes. In places where farming is too dangerous, people turn to crafts, trading, or small services. Tourism, especially in areas cleared of bombs, brings some hope for income. Also, the growth of UXO-related education and awareness has created jobs in campaigns and demining work, allowing affected communities to play a role in their own recovery.

Laos can’t tackle this challenge alone. Countries like the United States have started to step up; in 2016, President Barack Obama promised $90 million over three years to help clear unexploded bombs. Ongoing and increased support from around the world is essential. Investing in technology like advanced metal detectors, drones, and digital mapping can really speed things up. Plus, long-term funding helps clearance groups train more Lao technicians and keep their work going without breaks.

The people of Laos continue to suffer from a war they barely participated in. They live each day with the danger of unexploded bombs hidden beneath their homes, fields, and schools. Children are killed or injured just by playing in unsafe areas. Farmers risk their lives to grow food for their families. Clearing these deadly remnants is slow, risky, and costly, but it can be done. With your help, we can speed up this process. Every donation and every voice raised in support moves us closer to a future where no child in Laos has to fear the ground beneath them. By supporting bomb clearance efforts, you are not just removing dangerous explosives. You are giving families back their land, their safety, and their hope.