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.

In 2025, the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/ Mine Action Sector (NRA) recorded 15 unexploded ordnance (UXO) accidents, resulting in 19 injuries, including 6 deaths. So far in 2026, the NRA has recorded 6 UXO accidents, resulting in 14 injuries and 1 death. Risk education is especially important for children, who are often completely unaware of the dangers and also attracted to curious shapes and colour. A submunition, for example, can easily be mistaken for a toy or a ball.

“After receiving the risk education sessions, I believe students’ behaviors will change to safe behavior and knowledge of how to respond appropriately when they encounter suspicious items while they are out seeking food. They can also share this important knowledge with their parents and family members at home,” says Khamphoy, an NPA risk education team member in Champasak Province.

“Our goal is to help local communities recognize, avoid and report explosive threats and ultimately reduce the number of accidents and ensure that they know how to respond safely.”

“After our team started conducting risk education activities in villages, the number of UXOs reported from villagers increased. Our team also regularly receives reports from local residents when we conduct activities in their villages,” highlighted Mr. Monexai, Risk Education Team Leader in Sekong Province.