The Need for Help in Laos

 

Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the history of the world due to U.S. covert missions in Laos

during 1963-1975, now known as the Secret War.

 

Landlocked and littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO), Laos faces unique development challenges.  

Laos remains one of the least developed countries in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UXO   Affects   Development:

• 20,000   Laotians   killed   or   injured   since   1975.

• 500+   people   killed   or   injured   annually   by   bombs   and   munitions.

• 74%   of   people   live   on   less   than   $2.00   per   day.

• Lowest   literacy   rates   in   Southeast   Asia,   as   low   as   8%   in   some   regions.

• Lowest   livelihood   rates   in   Southeast   Asia.

 

(Sources   UNDP,   2009;   ACCU,   2004;   Legacies   of   War,   2012)