Today, 4th of April, is International Mine Awareness Day. Back in 2005, the UN established April 4th of every year as International Mine Awareness Day. The idea behind this being to call for "continued efforts by States, with the assistance of the United Nations and relevant organizations, to foster the establishment and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the safety, health and lives of the civilian population, or an impediment to social and economic development at the national and local levels."
Whilst not strictly land mine related, the Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) situation in Laos is just as dangerous. In Laos, unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War still kill around 300 people every year -- close to 100 of them children. Children are at particular risk of death or injury by cluster munitions as they are small, round and often brightly coloured -- easily mistaken for toys.
Whilst not strictly land mine related, the Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) situation in Laos is just as dangerous. In Laos, unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War still kill around 300 people every year -- close to 100 of them children. Children are at particular risk of death or injury by cluster munitions as they are small, round and often brightly coloured -- easily mistaken for toys.
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