Vientiane, Lao PDR , 28 February 2023

28 February 2023, Vientiane, Lao PDR

On 28 February 2023, the project, “Enhance Victim Assistance Programme in the ASEAN Member States” with the theme to support the establishment of regional ERW Victim Assistance Regional Network supported by ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC), in collaboration with the National Regulatory Authority of UXO/Mine Action Sector in Lao PDR (NRA) co-hosted the National Consultative Meeting in Capital Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Meeting is the fifth and the last planned national consultative meetings across ERW affected AMS to promote the establishment of the Regional Victim Assistance Network (VAN), following the first four that had earlier been held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Hanoi, Viet Nam; Bangkok, Thailand and Nay Pi Taw, Myanmar respectively.

The participants shared knowledge and best practices on victim services implementation in the country as well as the establishment of the Regional VAN through the lens of the International Mine Action Standard (IMAS) 13.10, and integrated approach to victim assistance and voice of victims.

The Meeting was led by the Executive Director of ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center, Mr. Prum Suonpraseth and Mr. Chomyaeng Phengthongsawat, Director General of the NRA. Attending as the Guest of Honor to the Opening of the National Consultative Meeting was Mr. Byung Seok Yoo, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Lao PDR.

The meeting brought together over 40 participants in-person and online from all relevant national and international networks and stakeholders (including EO survivors/victims) working with and/or supporting the victim of EO and other persons with disabilities.