ARMAC, in association with the AKCF, held a national consultative workshop on support for UXO victims in Laos, last week. ARMAC
The Cambodia-based ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) hosted a national consultative workshop on support for the victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in neighbouring Laos.
Held in partnership with the Laos foreign ministry and the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for UXO and Mine Action in Laos, last week’s workshop aimed to assess the feasibility of expanded physical rehabilitation and mental health support for those affected by explosive ordnance.
The event, held in Vientiane, brought together government officials, local and international NGOs, humanitarian organisations and medical experts committed to improving the lives of UXO survivors and persons with disabilities. It was supported by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF) as part of the “Enhance Victim Assistance Programme in the ASEAN Member States” project.
“Every survivor has a right to heal, to thrive and to contribute to their community,” said Rothna Buth, ARMAC executive director, in her opening remarks.
“Our work is about more than treatment – it is about restoring dignity, independence and hope. We turn pain into power, and research into real change,” she added.
Over two million tons of ordnance, including 270 million cluster munitions, were dropped on Laos by the US during the Indochina Wars (1964–1973), making it the most heavily bombed country per capita in the world.
According to an NRA operational report, more than 1,200 lives have been lost to UXO in Lao PDR since 1996.
“Those who survive often face lifelong injuries, limited access to medical care and profound psychological trauma. The workshop provided a critical forum to discuss solutions, ensuring that victims receive the rehabilitation, prosthetics, psychosocial support and economic opportunities needed to reclaim their lives,” explained an AKCF press release.
In attendance were South Korean embassy in Laos minister counsellor Lee Dongkyu and NRA director-general Bounpheng Sisawath.
Both reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to addressing the ongoing humanitarian impact of UXO contamination.
The “Enhance Victim Assistance Programme in ASEAN Member States” project is a regional effort that includes studies conducted in Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Laos is the fourth in the series, with Vietnam next in line.
“These studies are not merely academic – they are designed to shape actionable policies, guiding governments and NGOs in delivering targeted interventions that address survivors’ most pressing needs,” said the release.
“South Korea, through the AKCF, has provided vital financial support, reinforcing its role as a dedicated partner in ASEAN’s mine action efforts. The project also benefits from SingHealth and Yonsei University’s technical expertise which has further strengthened the initiative, ensuring that research translates into real, on-the-ground impact,” it added.
The reality of the need for community-based mental health care – which remains scarce in Laos – was also brought to the forefront, with interactive sessions that allowed survivors' voices to be heard.
“The psychological toll of UXO accidents – anxiety, PTSD and social stigma – can be just as debilitating as physical injuries, yet mental health support is often overlooked in victim assistance programs,” explained the release.
“Rehabilitation cannot be treated as an afterthought. Access to prosthetics, vocational training and inclusive education must be part of a long-term, sustainable strategy to empower survivors, allowing them to reintegrate fully into society,” it continued.
ARMAC and its partners are committed to ensuring that no UXO survivor is left behind, advocating for a comprehensive, rights-based approach to victim assistance that encompasses medical care, psychological support and socioeconomic inclusion.
