Surviving the Silence – The echoes of the Silent War in Laos

This project explores the quiet resilience of the Laotian people in the long, unspoken aftermath of a war the world barely remembers.

Between 1961 and 1975, Laos became the stage for one of the most devastating covert military campaigns in modern history. Known as the "Secret War," this CIA-led operation was designed to disrupt the Pathet Lao communist movement and cut off supply routes along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Rather than deploying American soldiers, the CIA recruited and organized tens of thousands of local Laotian fighters—many of them Hmong tribesmen—as proxy forces. These men were trained, armed, and paid to combat the communist Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese forces.

What followed was catastrophic: over 2.1 million tons of ordnance were dropped on Laos, more than the total the U.S. released during the entirety of World War II. Civilians were frequently caught in the crossfire, and when the bombing finally ceased, it left behind a haunting legacy—an estimated 78 million unexploded bombs scattered across the land.

Today, nearly half of Laos remains contaminated by unexploded ordnance known as UXO. In a country where over a third of the land is still dangerous to walk on, everyday life carries the weight of memory, loss, and extraordinary endurance. Hundreds are still killed or maimed each year, often while farming, walking, or playing. The ongoing struggle with unexploded ordnance (UXO) is not only a physical challenge but a unifying element—shaping a collective memory and a growing sense of responsibility to address the enduring consequences of war.

This project is a journey into the lives of people who carry the weight of this hidden history every day. It’s about witnessing their courage as they live, work, and rebuild amidst the shadows left behind. More than just survival, it’s a testament to their unwavering spirit—their commitment to protect their land and preserve their culture and dignity. This story goes beyond destruction; it’s a celebration of endurance and hope, capturing a community quietly reclaiming its future, one careful step at a time.