From 1964-1973, the United States dropped more than 250 million bombs on Laos. This was equivalent to one planeload of bombs every eight minutes, 24 hours a day, for nine years. Tens of thousands of civilians were killed.
But the harm did not end there.
Millions of these bombs did not explode and 52 years after the bombing, unexploded ordnance continues to pose a deadly threat daily for Laotians. Since the end of the bombing, 20,000 people have been killed or injured. Most of these victims are children.
But the people of Laos are resilient. Local artisans are transforming remnants of these bombs, initially into forks and spoons, but recently into jewelry, with the help of Article22. By turning these swords into plows, this company is creating economic opportunities for Lao artisans.
The bracelets bear two FCNL messages inspired by the Quaker peace witness: “War is NOT the Answer,” and “Love Thy Neighbor (No Exceptions).”
As FCNL’s Stephen Donahoe explained, each piece sold “contributes to clearing bombs, making affected areas safer for future generations while also providing sustainable income for local artisans.”
Supporting this work is especially crucial right now, as the Trump administration is dismantling foreign aid, which threatens life-saving mine clearance and education programs in Laos and around the world.
A portion of the proceeds will support FCNL’s work for peace. This includes our advocacy to address the harms of past wars by protecting and strengthening foreign aid programs like de-mining, as well as our advocacy to prevent future wars by investing in peacebuilding initiatives.
By partnering with Article22, FCNL is also extending our advocacy, “beyond policy and into direct action—supporting artisans who turn the scars of war into a source of hope and prosperity,” according to Stephen.
We hope you will consider supporting this initiative for peace and justice if you are able.
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Elsewhere
Senate Votes on Blocking Offensive Weapons to Israel
The Senate held historic votes this week to block offensive weapons to Israel as the Israeli government has cut off all humanitarian aid to Gaza and broke the ceasefire. While we are deeply disappointed that so many senators voted against these resolutions, this represents considerable progress.
We are grateful to Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) for his leadership and the 14 other senators who took a stand against U.S. complicity in Israeli war crimes. These votes are applying pressure on the Israeli government and changing the public conversation.
We also saw the reintroduction of the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act (H.R. 2411) this week. UNRWA is the main humanitarian organization working in Gaza. U.S. funding and political support for its work is crucial, especially as the Israeli government blocks aid and attacks aid workers. As Rep. André Carson (IN-07) said about the legislation, “Providing humanitarian aid to a starving nation… should not be controversial.”
New U.S. Attacks in Somalia
The United States continues to attack militants in Somalia, with a recent air strike estimated to have killed five people. Trump has dramatically ramped up attacks, with 15 strikes since he took office compared with 51 over the course of the entire Biden administration.
FCNL’s Devra Baxter explained how Trump claims to be doing this under the authority of the 2001 Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF). The United States has been intervening in Somalia for decades, causing immense civilian harm without positive results. As she put it, “If Trump wants to end war, he needs to focus on the solutions that work.”
Effective Advocacy in a Chaotic Era
The Trump administration is ignoring the courts and trying to destroy parts of the government it does not like. Congress is moving forward with a budget plan that would slash health care and food assistance for tens of millions of people.
