Subscribe to this blog
Norwegian People’s Aid started the cluster bomb clearance in Sekongprovinsen in Laos, after an agreement of mutual understanding was reached with the authorities in the country last monday 9.11.09.
Secretary General of Norwegian People’s Aid, Petter Eide, is in Laos for the signing of the agreement, and the official opening of the cluster bomb clearing program in Sekong which will take place Wednesday this week. Norwegian People’s Aid has already started with the cluster bomb clearance in Saravan province in Laos, and will begin clearing the Sekong as soon as possible. Laos is the country in the world most affected by unexploded cluster bombs. Between 1964 and 1973, it released an average of one bomb package every eight minutes, 24 hours a day. Since 1974 it is recorded as many as 300 accidents per year due to cluster bombs. Norwegian People’s Aid receives financial support to run the two programs of the Foreign Ministry and The United States Department of State. Norway’s Ambassador to Vietnam, StÃ¥le Risa was present at the signing of the agreement today. “Thousands of lives will be saved because of these cluster bomb clearance programs,” he said during the signing ceremony.
(picture from: www.norskfolkehjelp.com)
