Mine Action and Disarmament
Canada and Norwegian People’s Aid support Lao PDR’s CCM Presidency
As Lao PDR serves as the Presidency of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in 2026 and prepares to host the Third Review Conference 14-18 September, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is proud to support the CCM Presidency through funding from the Government of Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program.
25 May 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
NPA Protects Villagers in Contaminated Areas in Southern Lao PDR Through Explosive Ordnance Risk Education.
In additional to clearance activities in southern Laos, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) conducts explosive ordnance risk education in communities effected by explosive hazards. Risk education helps villagers live and farm as safely as possible in contaminated areas. It also prevents villagers from engaging with explosive hazards and promotes safer behavior.
19 May 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
When the Past Still Explodes
In 1996, Mr. Somphone Duangchampa got seriously injured by an unexploded ordnance (UXO) while preparing the area behind his house to build a cattle pen. The accident caused severe injuries to his leg and abdomen.
19 May 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
Lebanon joins the Mine Ban Treaty amid war and invasion
While several European states are withdrawing from the Mine Ban Treaty citing security concerns linked to Russia, Lebanon has chosen the opposite path. Amid an ongoing invasion, the country has decided to join the international ban on anti-personnel mines, reinforcing the global norm against weapons that continue to kill and injure civilians long after conflicts end.
11 May 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
Aircraft Bomb Successfully Destroyed in Phaosamphan village, Lao PDR
On March 22, 2026, the NPA team in Attapeu safely removed an MK82 500Ib bomb which was discovered during clearance operations in Phaosamphan Village, Xaysetha District, Attapeu Province.
21 Apr 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
What Looked Like Scrap Metal Was a Live Bomb
As his family prepared to celebrate their son’s wedding, Mr. Koi from Ban Hinlat in Xanasomboun district, Lao PDR, set out to clear space around his home for a cooking area. What began as routine preparations quickly turned into a potentially deadly discovery.
21 Apr 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
New technology could dramatically speed up landmine clearance
New detection technology under development could significantly improve the efficiency of humanitarian mine clearance. By detecting the explosive content inside landmines – rather than simply metal in the ground – the innovation aims to reduce false signals and help return land to communities faster.
30 Mar 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
Norwegian People’s Aid condemns Iran’s alleged use of cluster munitions against Israel and Palestine
NPA strongly condemns Iran’s alleged use of cluster munitions against Israel and Palestine, as reported by the Israeli officials. While these allegations are yet to be independently verified, the use of cluster munitions has been reported repeatedly in recent weeks.
20 Mar 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
NPA strengthens arms control capacities in Bosnia and Herzegovina through specialised police training
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has successfully completed specialised training under a project focused on the marking, labelling and registration of weapons, as well as the digitalisation of weapons data management systems under the authority of the Federal Police Administration (FUP).
06 Mar 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
When the Bombs Were Gone in Maknao Noy Village
For years, Mr. Khamdan did not know that unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance teams existed. Like many villagers at the time, he handled cluster munitions himself. He dug holes, collected the items and piled them together carefully and sometime burned them with waste.
03 Mar 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
UXO Clearance Restores Safe Farmland in Sekong Province, Laos
The danger began in 2007. While Tad was clearing land to grow rice, he discovered a bomb buried along the edge of his paddy field. “I didn’t dare touch it,” said Mr. Tad. “I only covered it with soil, marked the spot and warned my children, grandchildren and nearby villagers not to go near it. I was afraid the children might step on it and it would explode,” he recalls.
25 Feb 2026
Mine Action and Disarmament
Returning Safe Fields to Farmers in Arkhanhelske
After returning to his farm in Arkhanhelske following months of occupation, farmer Andrii found his land damaged and contaminated with explosive ordnance. With support from NPA, safe fields were returned, allowing farming to resume and livelihoods to be restored.
04 Feb 2026