VIENTIANE, May 1 (Vientiane Times/ANN): The Japanese government has provided over 800 million yen (US$6 million) for the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in three southern provinces of Laos, according to the Paxason newspaper.
A document on the provision of funding for UXO clearance was signed by the Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Kenichi Kobayashi, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune.
The Japanese aid will be used to increase the capacity to locate and remove unexploded ordnance in the provinces of Xekong, Saravan and Champassak.
The funding support will also boost local development and poverty reduction and demonstrates the Japanese government’s active commitment to improving the quality of life of Lao people by freeing them from unexploded ordnance.
Japan’s support for UXO clearance also supports the goals of the Lao government’s National Socio-economic Development Plan for 2021-2025.
Mr Phoxay thanked the Japanese government for supporting Laos’ socio-economic development in past years and promised to use the aid effectively and wisely to deliver maximum benefits.
The government of Japan has provided more than US$14 million to Laos over the past five years to support education, health, UXO clearance, and other development activities.
Japan recently provided grant assistance of about US$100,400 for the construction of a surgical facility at the community hospital in Kaenthao district, Xayaboury province.
Japan is also providing grant assistance of about US$190,000 for the benefit of schoolchildren in Luang Prabang province, through its Grant Assistance for Japanese NGOs project. - Vientane Times/ANN
