The Injustice of Laos

Laos today is classified as one of the poorest countries globally. An ambiguous, not well-known, and “poor” piece of land, it is rich in culture, beauty, and shiver-sending views. While the appearance of Laos is that of a utopia, beneath the surface and wedged in between the people and sediment is evil.

Vicious Bombings

One planeload of bombs dropped, every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day, for 9 years straight. This operation: Barrel Roll, was a secret kept by the U.S government, that continues to be kept in the shadows.

Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia with a mountainous and intricate terrain. The cluster bomb drops—in their abundant amount—did not all explode, thus leaving them stuck in the crevices of the tranquil valleys, waiting to ignite. Being the most bombed country in history per capita, with 300,000 bombs remaining, measures are being taken to eradicate the explosives. 

Make Things Right

The HALO Trust has taken action to cleanse the once-breathing soil. Along the Mekong River is the Savannakhet Province, where over 70% of the civilians live in poverty, depending on the practice of rice farming to provide for their families. (HALO Trust) However, the cluster bombs previously dropped and now embedded in the terrain make it difficult to accomplish rice farming.  Cultivating rice was almost impossible, rice is the largest business in Laos, but once made life-endangering farmers were out of a job and salaries. (HALO Trust) The HALO Trust has since dispatched to the Savannakhet Province and destroyed 62,000 bombs since 2012, they have also educated families and farmers on how to indicate a cluster bomb. (HALO Trust) The ultimatum of risking life or going hungry was ultimately no more—a secluded village Non Somboun houses over 1,000 Laotions. A 750-pound aircraft bomb was discovered close to a house with only 20 meters operating the two. (HALO Trust) After a total of 52 days, the monstrous bomb was finally removed from its resting place by the HALO Trust and destroyed, contained, and safely with no repercussions to the village. 

The Mine Advisory Group (MAG) has been working tirelessly since 1994 to remove the neglected cluster bombs still sodded. An estimated 30% of the 250 million bombs are said to have remained dormant. (Labott) After vigorous labor, MAG has removed 300,000 bombs as of 2021 making the locals have a safer environment with every bomb removed. (Labott) Over 50,000 innocent lives have been taken from the resting unexploded bombs, with almost half of the lives being children. (Labott) A man named Phoum Toum wanted to build a larger school for kids under the age of 14, however, this was impaired by the danger of building over land infested with bombs. MAG cleared over 5,000 meters in length and width to repair the damages and lives lost of children taken by the U.S. (Labott) The enrollment in education increased by 30% in said location. 

The perpetrator responsible for all these casualties is none other than the Land of the Free, who has since been taking accountability to resolve their disgusting actions. (The Guardian) The U.S. holds a “moral obligation” to help heal the land and lives destroyed in Laos, as stated by President Obama. (The Guardian) Obama pledged 90 million dollars to an organization to clear and detonate the bombs safely. “The remnants of war continue to shatter lives here in Laos,” Obama said as he apologized to the Laotian community and addressed the public. (The Guardian)  He would later land in the very land obliterated by the country he leads, making him the first president ever to visit Laos. Obama let the public know that the Pentagon would be disclosing the locations of where the bombs were dropped to aid the cleanup. (The Guardian) The recognition of the detrimental actions previously taken by the U.S. displayed that the U.S. has the responsibility to help more. 

Today, about 30% of Laos’ body mass is still contaminated with the hidden terrors known as cluster bombs. Only 1% has been removed, estimated by the New York-based NGO Legacies of War. The HALO Trust, MAG, and the U.S. government itself have since tried to repent for their attacks. However, there is still much to be done, Laos is one of the poorest countries in the world that needs all the assistance it can receive.

References

“Clearing Cluster Bombs In Laos.” The HALO Trust, https://www.halousa.org/where-we-work/south-asia/laos/. Accessed 23 February 2024.

“'I don't want more children to suffer what I did': the 50-year fight to clear US bombs from Laos.” The Guardian, 27 April 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/apr/27/i-dont-want-more-children-to-suffer-what-i-did-the-50-year-fight-to-clear-us-bombs-from-laos. Accessed 23 February 2024.

Labott, Elise. “Obama announces $90 million to clear Laos’ unexploded bombs.” CNN, 6 September 2016, https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/06/asia/laos-obama-aid-package/index.html. Accessed 23 February 2024.

“MAG removes 300000th unexploded bomb in Laos - Lao People's Democratic Republic (the).” ReliefWeb, 1 September 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/lao-peoples-democratic-republic/mag-removes-300000th-unexploded-bomb-laos. Accessed 23 February 2024.