Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Xaibouathong (CNA) - During the war in Vietnam, Laos, which is situated on the border, had become the most bombed country in the world. Not all the bombs exploded on impact and it is estimated that millions of small bombs are still unexploded. After 40 years one would think that they are harmless, but they are not. Many children do not know what bombs are, they collect and play with them. Others know what it is about but they think that throwing them far away is not harmful. Adults, however, know of the danger these weapons can cause by handling them, but they still collect the metal to sell it for a few cents. Laos is a very poor country and this type of "trade" is an immediate source of income but very dangerous. Although much of the metal, from the bombs which are buried in the countryside, is safe because the bombs have already exploded, others are unexploded. In Laos and Vietnam, the Catholic Relief Services is committed to educating the people about bombs and how to protect themselves. However, given the enormous amount of devices which still exist in the territories, accidents will not decrease. For this reason, to reach a hospital in Laos by tractor takes hours, the CRS gives the basics of first aid in the most remote villages. The objective is to stabilize the wounded so as to bring them to hospitals and have them treated. In a rickety old building in the Xaibouathong area, about 12 villagers were trained in first aid. They begin to medicate each other, trying to use bandages, they learn to separate the injured limb by pressing on the aorta to contain the bleeding caused by the explosions. Within days, these students become teachers to other villagers. Demining is a slow and meticulous job, it is estimated that it will take many decades to eliminate all the bombs dropped in the 1960’s and 1970’s in Laos and Vietnam. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 07/28/2011)
