The Lasting Impacts of the Vietnam War on Laos as the Most Bombed Country in the World
Neisha Scully
History and Context
Unbeknownst to many, Laos, the small Southeast Asian, land-locked country, endured extreme loss and atrocities during the Vietnam war, and this has continued to impact their population today significantly. In 1962, the United States of America signed an international agreement declaring the neutrality of Laos regarding Vietnamese independence and vowed to respect their position. However, when the civil war between the Royal Laotian Government and the communist Pathet Lao movement soon resumed, Prime Minister Souvanna Phouma supported US breaches of neutrality “to impede more nefarious North Vietnamese violations”. In the effort to quash communism in the Southeast Asian region, American military involvement in Vietnam grew, and Laos became a battleground utilised to disrupt the flow of North Vietnamese supply routes.
In December 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson approved “Operation Barrel Roll”, a covert military campaign that saw over 2.5 million tons of ordnance dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973. This daunting figure has been equated to “a planeload of bombs every eight minutes, 24 hours a day, for nine years”, rendering Laos the most bombed country per capita on earth. America’s efforts to support the Royal Lao Government in their fight against the Pathet Lao communist forces and their interruption to North Vietnamese traffic along the Ho Chi Minh Trail through extreme force has been dubbed the ‘secret war’ on Laos. This is because of the CIA’s secrecy regarding the execution of the bombings. During the nine years, approximately 200,000 Laotian people were killed, equal to about 10 % of the population. 400,000 people were injured, and 750,000 displaced. The destruction came to a halt in 1973 when a ceasefire agreement was reached, and the Pathet Lao subsequently took control of Laos in 1975. However, up to one-third of the bombs were undetonated, meaning that Laos was left with land contaminated with substantial amounts of unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Post-War Impacts and Current Challenges
Since the ceasefire, an estimated 25,000 people have lost their lives or have been severely injured in UXO accidents. According to the Laos National Regulatory Authority for UXO and Mine Action, UXO accidents cause over 300 yearly fatalities. Contemporarily, UXO accidents are disproportionately impacting the lives of children. Moreover, injuries are causing severe physical and mental trauma for children and young people, who unfortunately have limited access to support services in Laos. There is a critical issue where victims of life-altering injuries urgently require long-term support systems to address not only their medical and mental health needs but also necessary adjustments in education and employment opportunities, all within the constraints of their condition. As of 2024, almost 40% of UXO victims lose their lives as a result of their injuries. It is anticipated that many UXO victims will die from preventable causes due to being struck in remote areas with little to no medical support or barriers to reaching hospitals in adequate time. This highlights a broader need for additional response and assistance from the USA and the international community to support Laos in strengthening its healthcare system, and to provide additional training and community response mechanisms.
What is Happening Now and Where to From Here?
Approximately 30 percent of Laos remains contaminated with UXO over fifty years after the ceasefire agreement. The United States spent a staggering $17 million per day when the bombs were dropped but has only contributed $391 million since 1995 for the removal of UXO. In nine years, the US spent an estimated 55 billion dollars dropping bombs on Laos.
In recent years, however, the United States UXO program has undergone a significant expansion and has grown from 70 funded teams in 2020 to 210 teams in 2024. This work has positively impacted Laos, as between 2021 and 2023, 155,600 pieces of UXO and 116 landmines were removed and destroyed. In addition, over 270,000 Lao citizens were educated about risks and safety, and medical assistance was provided to 90 citizens. While these advancements are good, more funding is needed to continue the process of eradicating the undetonated bombs and clearing landmines. There is also still no evidence of long-term support for victims injured in UXO explosion accidents.
Overall, the strength of the Lao people must be commended. Despite ongoing challenges, they have shown immense courage and resilience. Veteran journalist Jerry Redfern stated that “Laos is rebuilding on American scrap”, referring to the market in scrap metal trade and the use of shrapnel, shell casings, and unexploded bombs to make various objects like decor, boats, spoons, and ladders. Lao people ultimately deserve to live in safety, as does every civilian caught in the perils of global conflict. Unfortunately, cluster munitions are continuing to be used in Ukraine and the Middle East and are killing and wounding countless civilians. This ultimately highlights the dire need for all countries to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to protect the human rights of all people.
Neisha Scully is a graduate of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations) degree at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. Neisha was additionally a 2023 New Colombo Plan Scholar for Thailand with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Whilst on her program Neisha studied International Environmental Law, International Trade Law, Private International Law, and International Business Crime in the International L.L.B program at Thammasat University Law School. Neisha also undertook intensive Thai language training, and attended the 3rd Global Peace Summit at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok with Humanitarian Affairs Asia. Neisha is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and is striving to be an advocate in the international affairs space.
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