NPA

Norwegian People's Aid

Mission Statement

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is a politically independent membership-based organisation working in Norway and in more than 30 countries around the world. Founded in 1939 as the labour movement’s humanitarian solidarity organisation, NPA aims to improve people’s living conditions and to create a democratic, just and safe society. NPA’s international work covers three core areas: Mine Action and disarmament, Development and Humanitarian relief aid. Our motto is “Solidarity in Action”.

Program Description

Country Programme NPA has been present in Lao PDR since 1997. For the first ten years, NPA supported the national clearance operator, UXO Lao, with technical assistance and quality assurance, before starting its own operations in Saravane province in 2009. NPA now conducts survey and clearance in four provinces in southern Lao PDR. The programme values close working relationships with the National Regulatory Authority for the UXO Sector (NRA) and UXO Lao. NPA undertakes capacity development activities with the NRA in Vientiane, and supports UXO Lao in a monitoring and capacity development role in Luang Prabang province. The scale of the contamination in Lao PDR is significant but yet to be fully defined, as a comprehensive, evidence-based survey has not yet been completed in every province. NPA has conducted survey of hundreds of villages in southern Lao PDR to contribute to the ongoing National Cluster Munition Remnants Survey project, and as at December 2020, NPA has cleared over 17.2 million square meters and removed nearly 119,000 items of UXO. Providing communities with information on the location of confirmed hazardous areas, and the clearance of these hazardous areas, gives villagers the assurance that they can use their land without risk of injury or death. Removing fear of accidents when using land is one of the most significant impacts of NPA’s work in Lao PDR.

Contact Details

Contact Person:
Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh
Country Director:
Per Håkon Breivik
Address:
150 Unit 08, Ban Watnak, Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital, PO Box 8106

General Info

Number of Staff

500+

In Lao PDR Since

1997

Country of Origin

Norway
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