The purpose of this Post-Clearance Impact Assessment was to assess the impact of the presence of UXO in contaminated areas, and then, based on an understanding of the socio-economic impacts of UXO on the communities living with contamination, to assess the impact post-survey and post-clearance with reference to Lao PDR development strategies,1the National Strategic Plan for the UXO Sector in Lao PDR, the Safe Path Forward III, and the Lao PDR Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The study was expected to:

•provide a baseline of the impact of UXO contamination on individuals and communities;

•provide evidence of the value, relevance, and effectiveness, in development terms, of UXO survey and clearance;

•provide recommendations for NRA and UNDP that can inform and drive improved survey and clearance to maximise the positive impact of programming.

This impact assessment explored the impact of the presence of UXO in the areas where UNDP supports UXO survey and clearance, namely in the provinces of Xiengkhuang and Bolikhamxai, focusing on the survey and clearance work of UXO Lao in Xiengkhuang, funded by New Zealand,and of Unit 58 in Bolikhamxai, funded by KOICA.