Think about a plane releasing bombs every eight minutes, every single day, for nine years. This was the harsh reality for Laos, a nation deeply affected by a covert war that flew under the radar for most Americans.
At just 14, my parents faced the devastation and forced evacuation of their towns, their people, and sacred spaces. Between 1964 and 1973, the US conducted a staggering number of bombing missions, around 580,000, which totaled over 2.5 million bombs dropped on Laos, making it the most bombarded country in history.
I wasn’t alive during those years, but the repercussions clearly followed me. As a kid, I remembered my father, a surgeon, treating numerous victims of unexploded ordnance, including a classmate—a five-year-old girl. The risk was so palpable that I left my family behind in 1990 when I was only six.
The so-called “secret war” was finally disclosed to Parliament in 1971. Activists like Fred Branfman and Bouangeun Luangpraseuth shared heartbreaking testimonies from survivors. It wasn’t until two decades later that the US began to allocate some funds for cleanup, starting with an amount below $3 million in 1993, while the total bombing costs were around $50 billion in a country we hadn’t formally declared war on.
Today, millions of unexploded bombs remain, posing a dire threat to families and children. It’s estimated that about a quarter of Laos is still contaminated, with less than 10% of that cleared. This ongoing burden affects every aspect of life in Laos—not just safety, but also long-term economic progress.
On June 20th, in recognition of World Refugee Day, it’s also crucial to acknowledge a significant milestone—50 years since the largest wave of refugee resettlements in US history, directly due to American military actions in Southeast Asia.
The Vietnam War had ripple effects beyond just the US and Vietnam—it profoundly impacted Laos and Cambodia as well. Instead of fostering peace, President Trump’s administration instituted a 90-day freeze on foreign aid starting January 20th, halting all US-funded programs, including essential initiatives in Laos.
This freeze was far from trivial. It suspended vital aid for victims of unexploded weapons, including a recent case involving a 15-year-old girl.
Gratefully, ongoing advocacy from various groups, including former US ambassadors, veterans, and bipartisan lawmakers, has led to a resumption of funding for crucial weapon clearance programs. But the damage done during the aid freeze is significant and relationships in the region remain delicate.
The United States is working to address the lasting impacts of war—efforts aimed at saving lives, aiding vulnerable communities, and enhancing diplomatic relations. Investing in foreign aid isn’t just altruistic; it’s strategic for our long-term benefits and global stability. Nowhere is this clearer than in Southeast Asia, where American support has tangible benefits that enhance security, bolster economies, and deepen cooperation among nations.
Since 1985, the US has engaged with Laos postwar, initially focusing on searching for missing Americans. The Lao government eventually approved a US research team. They recovered the remains of 13 service members lost in a plane crash in 1972. To date, more than 280 Missing in Action personnel have been retrieved, fostering collaboration that now extends to the removal of unexploded weapons and education about the dangers of explosive remnants.
These combined efforts have led to a notable decrease in casualties, dropping from 300 to 60 annually over the past decade.
Recognizing the significance of this work, the US is investing in similar programs across the globe, reinforcing its position as the largest proponent of humanitarian demining, with investments nearing $5 billion.
These initiatives prove that consistent commitment and global teamwork are achievable.
As a former refugee, I see World Refugee Day as not just a moment for reflection, but also a measure of our shared values.
If the U.S. is to embody moral leadership, we must continue to invest in recovery efforts in nations like Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This not only calls for sustained funding but also for genuine partnerships framed by lessons learned from our history rather than short-term political maneuvers.
Ultimately, this issue transcends Southeast Asia. It’s about defining who we are and who we aspire to be. American legacy should reflect healing rather than destruction.
