Support to the Institutional Strengthening of the National Regulatory Authority for the Mine and UXO Sector (NRA)

UXO Lao clearing land in Xieng Khouang Province. Photo: UNDP Lao PDR/Laophoto

About this project

The National Regulatory Authority for UXO and Mine Action in Lao PDR (NRA) was established in 2005, with the task of coordinating and regulating the overall management of the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) sector in Lao PDR, including national, commercial and humanitarian operators. The NRA leads the country’s policy formulation with regard to the UXO/Mine Action sector, accredits operators, coordinates operational activities, manages information and data on UXO and manages quality of operations in the sector.

What have we accomplished?

Successfully managed a budget of more than USD 20 million per year, with improved financial management practices and increased transparency of resource use.
Assessed and accredited a total of 17 operators in the UXO sector, including 12 commercial and five humanitarian operators, allowing them to contribute their capacity and expertise to reducing the impact of UXO under national supervision.
In 2014, UXO risk education was formally included in the national school curriculum.
Developed and adopted Lao PDR's first UXO Victim Assistance Strategy aimed at addressing shortcomings in victim assistance (identification, immediate and ongoing medical and financial support).
Developed and lead the adoption of evidence-based survey methodology to increase efficiency of clearance activities, bringing Lao PDR closer to fulfilling its Convention on Cluster Munitions obligations.
Continued safeguarding of Standard Operating Procedures to protect the safety of clearance operators dealing with the dangers of UXO.
Established an Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) to track contamination, survey progress and clearance work.
Co-Chair of Trust Fund Steering Committee with Government and UNDP, in close consultation with the UXO Sector Working Group.

Related information:

NRA Project Brief

UXO Sector Annual Report 2015