Long Tieng, a quiet village in central Laos, was once a secret U.S. military base during the Cold War. From 1960 to 1975, the CIA operated there with Hmong fighters and secret pilots to fight communist forces. The village’s airstrip, once one of the world’s busiest, is now used by children and farmers. Visitors can still see General Vang Pao’s old headquarters, where missions were planned with U.S. support. But the war left a dangerous legacy; the U.S. dropped 270 million sub-munitions on Laos, and about 30% didn’t explode. These unexploded bombs still kill or injure people and keep villagers from farming or exploring safely. Locals stick to known paths to avoid them, and the airstrip is one of the few safe open areas. Though the U.S. has spent over $390 million clearing bombs, much work remains. Long Tieng’s secret past still affects life today, 50 years later.
Pray for the government of Laos and the US to take immediate action to remove the unexploded bombs safely from Long Tieng. Pray for the authorities to expedite the process to save the lives and livelihoods of the villagers (The Holy Bible, Psalm 22:11).
Pray for divine protection upon all the people living in the village of Long Tieng, Laos. Pray for the LORD’s healing power upon the people affected by the war, both physically and psychologically (The Holy Bible, Psalm 147:3).
News Source: CNN
Image Source: Canva
