Programs and Events

Ambassador Haslach Talks to Lao Journalists on UN International Day for Mine Awareness

Ambassador Haslach with Lao journalists and Embassy staff.

On March 30, Ambassador Patricia M. Haslach was interviewed by nine Lao journalists in observance of the upcoming UN International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, commemorated on April 4. The Ambassador expressed the United States government's commitment to working in partnership with Laos to rid the country of unexploded ordnance (UXO), both for humanitarian reasons and to assist with economic development and poverty reduction. The U.S. plays a leading role in this effort and, as the largest donor, has contributed over $25 million since 1998.

Working closely with the Lao Government, international NGOs, and the donor community, U.S. programs strive to improve Laos’ technical capacity to clear land contaminated with UXO, whatever its origin. In 2006, we contributed over $5 million to UXO activities, including programs to implement the lessons of nationwide pilot projects to use new statistics-based clearance methods, which will improve the rate of land cleared and land released for use or development significantly; funding for the continued operations of UXO Lao, as well as independent operators and the new National Regulatory Authority for UXO activities in Laos; public awareness and education campaigns, and victims’ assistance programs.  

Worldwide, the United States has provided well over $1 billion to cleanup efforts around the world since 1993. This contribution represents between one-third and one-half of all funding invested world-wide toward this cause.