This is our shared history. Millions of unexploded bombs remain in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Our work is focused on history, healing, and hope.
A PROBLEM WE CAN FIX
"For years, she urged the United States to do more to help remove unexploded bombs here in Laos. 'There are many, many problems in this world that might not be able to be solved in a lifetime,' she's said, but this is one we can fix. So, Channapha, we thank you for working to fix this problem."
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-President Barack Obama
With over 270 million cluster munitions dropped on Laos, and 30% failed to detonate, leaving millions of unexploded ordnance (UXO) across Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Today, only 10% of UXO in Laos has been cleared. In Cambodia, 15% of farmland is contaminated. In Vietnam, all provinces still face UXO danger.
From 1964-1973, the U.S.​ dropped over two million tons of ordnance on Laos during 580,000 bombing sorties—equal to a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day, for 9 years.
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The U.S. dropped more than 13 million tons of ordnance on Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Laos remains the most bombed country per capita in history.
Laos remains the most bombed country per capita in history.
Laos remains the most bombed country per capita in history.
More than 50 years later, UXO continue to claim and injure lives today.
Legacies of War was founded in 2004, inspired by a set of powerful illustrations drawn by Lao refugees depicting bombs raining down on their villages. First used in 1971 to inform the American public and Congress of the secret U.S. bombings on Laos, these drawings were rediscovered decades later by our founder, Channapha Khamvongsa, and used to spark a national conversation about a war many Americans never knew occurred.
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Every 8 Minutes: A Reflection
From the desk of Dr. Ramya Ravisankar, Associate Professor Columbus College of Art & Design
OVER 50% OF UXO CASULATIES IN LAOS ARE CHILDREN
This is a crisis.
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Over 5 decades on, roughly 10% of the contaminated land in Laos has been cleared of UXO
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More than half of all confirmed cluster munitions casualties in the world have occurred in Laos
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At least 46 reported casualties (deaths and injuries) have occurred in Laos due to UXO in 2024, according to World Education -- over 60% were children​. There have been 9 reported casualties in Laos so far in 2025, including 3 deaths.
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Despite being the largest funder of global demining, with nearly $400 million allocated to demining activities in Laos since 1995, the U.S. spent at least $50 billion (in 2025 currency) to bomb Laos over nine years​
Legacies of War will never stop advocating for U.S. Government funds to clear bomb-filled land in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam so that these families can live, play, and work in peace.
Legacies is a proud member of these working groups
Co-Chair, War Legacies Working Group
Conventional Weapons Destruction Network
Environmental Issues and Mine Action
