Canadian Commanders Pay Cash for UXO

Afghanistan  The use of UXO by insurgents to build roadside IEDs has prompted the Canadian military to implement a novel program to locate UXO and explosives. The program pays cash incentives to Afghan locals for tips that lead to the discovery of UXO or explosives.

Payments are made on a sliding scale, up to $250, depending on the type of UXO or hazard. Shape charge munitions such as anti-tank projectiles and rockets and larger weapons caches typically yield the most reward. Individual small arms or machine gun bullets are worth 10 cents per round.

The program has already resulted in numerous UXO and weapons caches being found. The program not only helps to make the area safer but also provides goodwill among the locals. Given the extreme poverty in this country, the Canadian military officials are cautious to stress to Afghans that they do not want them to go out specifically searching for UXO in order to earn money. Rather they want reports of UXO that they encounter during their daily routines or travels. The concern of course is that the locals are not equipped to deal with UXO and the military does not people intentionally putting themselves at risk.