A problem we can fix within our lifetime
"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
From 1964-1973, the U.S.​ dropped more than 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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With over 270 million cluster bombies dropped on Laos, approximately 30%, about 80 million, did not explode on impact and are still in the ground.
Roughly 30% of Laos is contaminated with UXO. Less than 10% has been cleared since the last bomb was dropped in 1973.
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.