Since 1996, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) has been working in the Mekong region to reduce the danger posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Their efforts in disposing of Explosive Ordnance have focused on training local capacity, surveying contaminated areas, disposing of explosive devices, and clearing affected land. These efforts have already removed over 35,000 UXOs and cleared more than 480 hectares of land.
A key tool in these operations is the UXO Reference Manual. This manual lists over 200 types of explosive ordnance found in Laos and gets updated regularly by HI’s ordnance disposal experts. To facilitate identification in the field, HI has converted this manual into a digital solution. The result is the Explosive Ordnance (EO) Identification Mobile App—a fast, interactive way for field teams to access lifesaving data during their operations.
What Is the RIMA Project and Why Does It Matter?
In 2021, Humanity & Inclusion launched the RIMA Project—short for Risk Management and Accident Prevention Project. This three-year initiative, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expanded HI’s demining efforts in the Lao provinces of Phongsaly and Houaphan.
The project took a broad approach. It covered UXO surveying, clearance operations, victim assistance, and advocacy. By combining these efforts, RIMA aimed to reduce the UXO threat, help survivors, and raise awareness in at-risk communities.
One major challenge was identifying explosive ordnance in the field. Demining teams had to use heavy printed manuals, which slowed them down. To solve this, HI made digitizing the UXO reference guide a core part of the project. The goal was clear: deliver faster, more accurate information to disposal teams right when they need it.
How Did Pegotec and HI Build a Smarter UXO Identification Tool?
To solve the problem of slow identification in the field, Humanity & Inclusion partnered with Pegotec. Pegotec is a software development company that specializes in innovative, reliable solutions. Together, they created a mobile app version of the UXO Reference Manual.
Their shared goal was to make the identification of explosive ordnance faster, safer, and more accessible. They built the HI–EO Reference App—a mobile tool that puts critical data instantly into the hands of field teams. The app guides in both English and Lao, ensuring that both international and local experts can use it with confidence.
The app replaced bulky paper guides with a searchable digital library. Now, deminers can identify UXOs on their smartphones or tablets in seconds. This speeds up operations and improves safety. By late 2023, teams in Laos had already begun using the app to identify ordnance types more quickly than ever. The app provides detailed information on all known explosive items in Laos, along with safety guidelines for handling and disposal. This puts lifesaving guidance right in their pockets.
Why Did Pegotec Choose Laravel and Flutter for the UXO App?
Pegotec selected a modern and reliable tech stack to build the HI–EO Reference App. For the backend, the team used Laravel, a robust PHP framework. Laravel manages the database of ordnance types, allowing for secure and easy updates. Its stability makes the system simple to maintain over time.
For the mobile app, Pegotec used Flutter. Flutter is Google’s open-source toolkit for creating apps that work on both Android and iOS from a single codebase. This approach helped accelerate development while maintaining a consistent user experience across devices.
With this tech setup, Pegotec ensured that the app would run smoothly on any device used by field teams. Whether on a phone or tablet, users receive the same reliable performance, essential for urgent and critical work in remote areas.
How Does the Tech Stack Support Field Operations?
Laravel powers the backend system, making it easy to add new ordnance types or update safety guidelines. HI’s team can log in through a secure web interface and apply changes instantly.
Flutter ensures the app’s user interface remains fast, responsive, and reliable. It also supports offline-first use, which is essential in remote or rural areas where internet access is limited.
Together, Laravel and Flutter create a smooth workflow. When HI’s experts discover a new UXO or update a disposal method, they enter the data into the web system. The app syncs the updates when a device reconnects to the internet. This way, field users always have access to the latest guidance, even when working offline.
What Are the Two Core Modules of the EO Identification System?
The EO Identification System includes two powerful tools. Each one serves a different group of users in the UXO clearance process.
Admin Web Portal for Data Management
HI, experts use a secure web portal to manage the UXO database. Through this platform, they can add new ordnance types, update existing entries, and upload safety information. The system also supports photos and multilingual descriptions.
Since it’s web-based, users can log in from anywhere. Updates reach all app users instantly, which ensures everyone works with the latest information.
EO Mobile App for Field Use
The mobile app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It acts as a digital reference guide for EOD teams. With its easy-to-use interface, the app enables users to browse ordnance types or search directly by keyword.
Once downloaded, all data—images, descriptions, and identification tips—stay stored on the device. This offline access is essential for teams working in remote areas. The app also includes visual aids, so deminers can match what they see with accurate photos.
Whether navigating by category (such as bombs or mines) or searching for a specific item, teams can quickly locate what they need to stay safe and take prompt action.
What Are the Key Features of the HI–EO Mobile App?
The mobile app features powerful tools that enable field teams to quickly and safely identify and handle UXO. Here’s what makes the app essential for deminers:
Real-Time Updates from Admin Portal
HI’s technical staff can quickly update the app through the web portal. New ordnance, safer methods, or better practices are automatically added and shared across all users.
Comprehensive UXO Library
The app lists over 200 explosive ordnance types found in Laos. Each profile includes specs, markings, fuzing info, and disposal instructions. Deminers can access the full range of threats they may encounter in the field.
Bilingual Support
All content appears in both English and Lao. This helps both international staff and local technicians follow safety guidance clearly and effectively.
Works Offline
After downloading the data, the app runs without an internet connection. This is vital for field teams in remote areas. Updates sync automatically when the device goes back online.
Visual ID Tools
High-resolution photos and diagrams help users visually match what they find. This feature speeds up decision-making and reduces errors.
Clear Safety Guidance
Each entry shows safety distances and disposal methods. If a bomb is too risky to move, the app tells the team to destroy it in place. These tips follow national UXO safety standards.
How Has the App Improved UXO Identification and Safety?
The EO Mobile App provides EOD teams in Laos with immediate access to a comprehensive database of explosive ordnance. This speeds up identification and reduces errors. When deminers know precisely what they are facing, they can apply the correct disposal methods, thereby protecting themselves and the nearby communities.
Here are four real-world benefits:
Faster UXO Clearance
Teams now identify ordnance in seconds using the app. In the past, flipping through printed manuals took several minutes. In high-risk areas, every second counts—and this speed helps save lives.
Wider Ordnance Recognition
Southeast Asia contains a mix of old and rare explosive weapons. The app includes a wide range of devices, even those less commonly seen. This helps teams in new areas, such as Phongsaly, stay prepared for unexpected discoveries.
Training Support for Local Teams
Many local deminers have limited access to formal training. The app helps them learn on the job, reinforcing their skills each time they use it. This supports long-term knowledge sharing and builds local capacity.
Increased Field Productivity
With everything on one device, teams no longer need to carry printed manuals or separate tools. Offline access enables them to plan more effectively, work more efficiently, and stay focused, regardless of their location. It provides safer procedures for deminers and reduces danger for surrounding communities. Every UXO that is correctly identified and safely destroyed is potentially a life saved or a tragedy averted.
How Is the App Setting a New Standard for Humanitarian Mine Action?
The EO Mobile App shows how digital tools can improve field safety and efficiency. Humanity & Inclusion utilized technology to address a longstanding issue in the disposal of UXO. Now, the app serves as a model for others working in mine action across Southeast Asia.
HI shared this tool with national authorities and other NGOs in Laos. This step helps spread the benefits of the project nationwide and beyond. By using a single app, multiple organizations can work more safely and efficiently.
Pegotec played a key role in this innovation. The company leveraged its software expertise to develop a custom tool tailored to HI’s real-world field experience. This public-private partnership shows how tech companies can support lifesaving missions.
The app’s framework already works across multiple countries, such as Laos and Cambodia. It can also be adapted for new languages and different ordinance databases. This flexibility gives the project lasting value.
More than just an app, this tool saves lives. It helps deminers complete their work more efficiently and safely. It also speeds up land clearance, returning fields and farms to the communities that need them.
What Does This Project Show About the Future of Mine Action?
The HI–EO Mobile App proves that technology can address longstanding humanitarian challenges by converting a printed manual into a digital tool. Humanity & Inclusion enhanced safety and efficiency for UXO disposal in Laos.
Thanks to this app, more land is now being cleared and returned to communities. Families in affected areas can farm, build, and live without the constant fear of hidden explosives.
Pegotec helped make this possible. Their team built a system that is both powerful and easy to use. Using Laravel and Flutter, they delivered a solution that works effectively in challenging conditions and addresses real needs.
This project demonstrates what is possible when tech companies and humanitarian organizations collaborate. It’s not just about building apps—it’s about saving lives.
The app is already helping in Laos and could do the same in other countries. Its flexible design allows it to scale and adapt. As more NGOs adopt similar tools, we’ll see faster, safer mine action worldwide.