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FROM THE FIELD

LAO PDR: No leg is no obstacle to unexploded ordnance clearance
02 Oct 2009 09:25:00 GMT
 Source: MAG (Mines Advisory Group)
Website: Website: http://www.maginternational.org/laopdr

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A metal free prosthesis.
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A metal free prosthesis.
Tracie Williams / COPE
The prospect of more unexploded ordnance accident survivors being involved in UXO clearance in Lao PDR has moved closer, thanks to a new initiative organised by MAG, COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) and the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC).

Under the project, two prosthesists from the NRC have been taught how to produce metal-free prosthetic legs.

Such legs could be fitted to amputee UXO accident survivors (or other amputees), enabling them to be hired as clearance technicians by MAG or any other UXO clearance organisation.

"Following a UXO accident, survivors may have limited options for employment, particularly if they have lost a limb," said David Hayter, MAG's Country Programme Manager in Lao PDR.

"However, our experience in Cambodia is that amputee deminers are as able as anyone else under most conditions. Ten per cent of MAG Cambodia's staff are amputees."

Clearance technicians use metal detectors to search for UXO that is hidden under the ground, and standard prostheses - which contain metal components - would interfere with the detectors.

The NRC selected two candidates for the training, while the course itself was conducted by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Battambang, Cambodia.

Funding for the project was provided by ITO Supporting Comity, a Japanese foundation. The foundation has also funded the purchase of three metal detectors for MAG.

MAG Lao PDR's target is for people with disabilities to make up at least six per cent of total staff. The planned target of women making up 35 per cent of total staff has already been reached. MAG's intention is that the organisation should represent the full diversity of Lao society.

COPE is the only provider of prosthetic, orthotic and rehabilitation services in Lao PDR. Established by POWER International in 1997, COPE is a joint venture between the Ministry of Health and a number of non-governmental organisations.

For more information on MAG's work in Lao PDR, please visit www.maginternational.org/laopdr


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Last updated:Fri Oct 2 09:28:22 2009