At the National University of Laos representatives from Government, United Nations and organizations working in the UXO sector gathered to mark the 2011 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. This was the first significant gathering for those in the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) sector since the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions held in Vientiane in November last year.

This year’s event took place in the shadow of another recent tragic UXO accident. Speaking at the opening of the event, Ms Kyoko Yokosuka, UNDP Resident Representative (a.i.) told the story of 28-year old mother of two, Mrs Khamkong, who was seriously injured by a UXO set off by a stove that was warming up. Her family savings had to be used for her treatment and some members of her community have also donated their own savings.

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