Bombies in the Coffee Fields: A Farmer’s Story
In the heart of Southern Laos, the remnants of a war long past continue to cast a shadow over the lives of its people. Mr. Khamla Vilaysaeng, a resilient farmer from Nonghinkhao village has often faced the hidden dangers of unexploded ordnance (UXO) on his land. His experiences highlight the ongoing struggle of many in Lao PDR, where the legacy of conflict still threatens safety and livelihoods.
Text and photo: Ms. Onkham Banyadith and Ms. Jindapasird Saignasid, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) Lao PDR Mine Action and Disarmament Programme Operations Team
In the serene outskirts of Paksong district, 69-year-old farmer Mr. Khamla Vilaysaeng has faced a hidden danger that lurks beneath the soil of his coffee farm. Known locally as ‘bombies,’ these unexploded cluster munitions are remnants of the second Indochina War, which ended 47 years ago but continues to threaten the lives and livelihoods of the people in Lao PDR.
For Mr. Khamla, encountering these deadly relics has become an unsettling routine. On what seemed like an ordinary day, he stumbled upon his fourth unexploded ordnance (UXO) while tending to his coffee plants.
“I’ve come across many bombies in this village, especially on my coffee farm. Luckily, there haven’t been any casualties yet,” he shared.
The presence of UXOs forces farmers like Mr. Khamla to tread carefully, fearing that a single misstep could lead to disaster. This constant threat hampers socio-economic development, as villagers must remain vigilant while working, playing, or even cooking. Mr. Khamla’s coffee farm, established in 1997, is the primary source of income for his family of nine, generating an average of 40-50 million LAK (approximately 3,500-4,200 USD) annually. To supplement their income, they also grow cassava.
Recalling a past encounter, Mr. Khamla said, “As I was walking and checking the coffee farm, I stumbled across a bombie, a BLU-3 B. I knew what it was because this wasn’t the first time I encountered it.” Four years ago, his then four year old son discovered a UXO while digging in the farm. Since then, Norwegian People’s Aid has removed six BLU-3 B cluster munitions and four 40mm rifle grenades from Nonghinkhao village.
Thanks to his experience, Mr. Khamla quickly put up a danger sign and warned his children and neighbors to stay away.
“The first thought that came to my mind was to warn the kids and immediately report it,” he said.
He contacted Norwegian People’s Aid BAC-04’s Team Leader, Mr. Airnoy Phiengsavanh, who promptly dispatched a team to remove the threat safely.
With the UXO safely removed, Mr. Khamla, his neighbor Mr. Bounlien Keovongsa, and their families can now live without the constant fear of hidden dangers. However, many more civilians in southern Lao PDR continue to face similar threats.
Norwegian People’s Aid remains dedicated to surveying and clearing these unexploded munitions, ensuring that they no longer pose a risk to human safety or hinder socio-economic progress.
By protecting civilians from explosive remnants of war, Norwegian People’s Aid is helping to clear more land and improve the livelihoods of communities across Lao PDR. By supporting the clearance of unexploded ordnance, our donors contribute to the safety and prosperity of local communities and enhance their security and resilience, reinforcing their global standing as champions of peace and development.