LAOS: Collateral Damage

There is a small museum in Vientiane that brings home the sobering message of the collateral damage by the Americans during the Vietnam War. 

Or, as it is called locally, the "American War". 

During the Vietnam War parts of the Ho Chi Ming Trail (running from North Vietnam to South Vietnam) passed through Laos.

As a result, parts of Laos were severely bombed 

Unfortunately, not all of the bombs exploded, leaving behind unexploded weapons (UXO's)

Unexploded weapons that litter the countryside have been and continue to injure and maim thousands of people in Laos.  

Often children find them and play with them, or, collect them to sell the scrap metal to supplement the family's meagre income.

Since its creation in 1996, COPE’s work has helped thousands of people with mobility-related disabilities, including UXO survivors, access prosthetic and orthotic services, allowing them to regain mobility and dignity.

The charity organization funds the manufacturing of orthotic devices to help support parts of the body, as well as wheelchairs and tricycles. It also makes prosthetic legs, arms and hands for the unfortunate. 

COPE has 5 rehabilitation centres across 8 provinces in Laos, so that victims – mostly children – living in rural areas have access to this crucial healthcare center. 

As we travelled north from Vientiane to Luang Prabang we visited a cave in the mountains where locals hid to escape the constant bombs.

There are a LOT of steep steps they had to climb to get into the cave. 

Actually, there are 147 steep steps. 

Imagine children, old people, and pregnant women climbing this every day to stay safe.

Inside the cave.

Looking down into the valley from the cave entrance is very pretty.

On our drive north we saw many mountains with other caves in them. 

The countryside is beautiful.

But has a sad and violent history that is still dangerous.