In Laos, U.S. Forces dropped as many as two million tons of bombs
during both the Vietnam War and the civil war in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Reportedly, approximately 30% of them have remained in Laos as unexploded
ordnance (UXOs) that continue to cause accidents and deaths even today. Xieng
Khuang Province located in the north of the country in particular is an
accident-prone area. According to statistics from National regulatory Authority
for UXO/Mine Action Sector in Lao PDR, in 2012, 31
persons are injured in this province
alone, accounting for 55% of all the victims in Laos.
Below is a report from Noriko ANDO, who has been engaged in
operations in Xieng Khuang Province.
A Nearby “VHV” is Better than a Far-off Hospital
The medical standard in Laos is not very high. In Xieng Khuang
Province, one of the worst affected areas by UXOs, each district has only one
hospital that is able to provide decent medical treatment for victims of UXOs.
There are only four ambulances available in the whole province. To make matters
worse, most of the roads are unpaved which prevents ambulances from reaching
hospitals during the rainy season. Delayed medical treatment has resulted in
higher numbers of UXO-related deaths as well as victims who sustain
life-altering bodily injury. Some victims do not even have a choice
but to give up going to hospitals because of their inability to cover their
medical fees.
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“I would like to share what I have learned with villagers,” said Ms.
Syvai, a VHV in Phounven Village with Noriko ANDO on the right.
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