Programs set up in Laos to clear unexploded ordnance left over from heavy U.S. bombing during the Vietnam War are being hindered by shortfalls of funds from foreign donors, sources in the Southeast Asian country say.
Speaking to RFA’s Lao Service, an official of the labor and social welfare department of Xieng Khouang province in northeastern Laos said that the work of UXO (unexploded ordnance) clearing teams in his province has now slowed due to severe cuts in support.
“We need a lot of funding,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This year we received only one million dollars, while usually we get at least two million.”
“We have difficult tasks to perform, like the clearing of forests, but we can’t do this now because we don’t have the people or the money to do the work,” he said.
Read more…
Source: Radio Free Asia