Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, August 2026 – The National Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector (NRA), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue U.S. Government-supported humanitarian mine action activities in Xieng Khouang Province, one of the areas most affected by unexploded ordnance in Lao PDR. The United States is providing an additional $15 million to MAG for these UXO operations in Xieng Khouang.
The agreement marks the start of a new phase of activities that will run until November 2027, supporting the identification of contaminated land through technical survey, the clearance of explosive remnants of war, and the delivery of explosive ordnance risk education to communities across the province.
Despite significant progress over recent decades, contamination from explosive remnants of war continues to affect communities in Xieng Khouang, limiting access to land and posing risks to people’s safety and livelihoods. Through the support of the United States Government, MAG will work with national and provincial authorities to help communities safely use land for agriculture, infrastructure, and other development purposes.
Over the course of the project, MAG expects to survey more than 19 million square meters of land and clear more than 20 million square meters of priority hazardous areas. The project will also ensure a rapid response to reports of explosive ordnance from communities and provide risk education to thousands of people living in affected areas.
Mr. Bounpheng Sisawath, Director General of the National Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector, said:
“We welcome the continued support of the United States Government for mine action in Laos. Through this new agreement, MAG will continue to play an important role in helping communities in Xieng Khouang Province access land safely while contributing to national priorities for survey, clearance, and risk education. These efforts support both community safety and local development.”
Eli Mechanic, MAG Country Director in Lao PDR, said:
“The United States has been a long-standing supporter of humanitarian mine action in Laos. This new phase of support will enable MAG to continue helping communities in Xieng Khouang Province access land safely, strengthen livelihoods, and reduce the risks posed by unexploded ordnance. Together with the Government of Lao PDR and local authorities, we are committed to supporting safer communities and contributing to the country’s development priorities.”
MAG has more than 30 years of experience supporting communities affected by unexploded ordnance in Lao PDR. Since 1994, MAG has surveyed more than 1.4 billion square meters of land, cleared more than 160 million square meters, safely removed and destroyed more than 350,000 items of unexploded ordnance, and directly benefited more than 1.3 million people across the country.
United States Government support for MAG’s work in Lao PDR began in 2003 and has played a significant role in helping communities safely access land, reduce risks, and expand opportunities for social and economic development. MAG remains committed to working alongside the Government of Lao PDR and local communities to address the remaining impacts of unexploded ordnance and support a safer future for all.
For further information, please contact:
Isabelle Urumath, Grants and Communications Manager
Email: Isabelle.urumath@maginternational.org
Website: www.maginternational.org/laos
