At the seminar. Photo: VNA

The situation of unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination in Vietnam and the progress of UXO removal since the end of the war were on the agenda of a seminar held in the south-central coastal province of Phu Yen on October 25, VNA reported.

The event drew the participation of experts from the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) of the UK, Jangan University in the Republic of Korea, the Vietnam Mine Action Centre of the central province of Quang Tri, and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

Foreign experts discussed issues of interest in international cooperation on addressing UXO consequences, the collection of data on UXO removal, and legal corridor and capacity building in working out UXO removal programs with support from foreign partners.

Effective models in UXO clearance in Quang Tri province were also shared at the event.

According to the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre, all 63 provinces and centrally-run cities in Vietnam are contaminated with UXO, with 5.6 million hectares of land in total (17.71% of the country’s acreage) affected. It is estimated that between 600,000 – 800,000 tonnes of UXO are still hidden underground, and 110,000 people have so far become victims of UXO.

After a national action program to tackle the impact of post-war bombs and mines in 2010-2025 (Programme 504) was issued in 2010, Vietnam has mobilized over VND 2.1 trillion (USD 84.5 million at the current exchange rate) for the work.

International cooperation projects have been conducted to survey UXO contamination on 18,000 ha of land and remove UXO on 9,000 ha in the three central provinces of Quang Binh, Binh Dinh, and Thua Thien-Hue.

A national strategy for UXO risk education has also been built along with a database on UXO contamination.

Over the past more than a decade, Vietnam has cleared nearly 500,000ha of contaminated land and defused hundreds of thousands of bombs, mines and explosives.

Over 5,000 UXO victims have received medical, vocational training, job and livelihood support at a cost of more than 50 billion VND (USD 2.17 million).

Hundreds of thousands of people, especially children and residents in contaminated areas, have also learned how to avoid UXO accidents.

The Military Command of Phu Yen province prepares to detonate a bomb discovered in Song Hinh district in March 2022. Photo: VNA

Phu Yen officials reported that over 20% of the province’s natural area is contaminated with UXO. Many incidents related to UXO have been happening in recent years, killing or injuring a number of people. Notably, there were a number of fatal or seriously injured cases in Son Hoa district, Song Hinh district, and Dong Hoa town. Victims of landmine explosions are mainly family workers, children or people who still have many difficulties in life.

From 2016-2020, the province cleared 1,104 ha of land from UXO in Dong Hoa town and Phu Hoa district. Phu Yen plans to clear another 1,800 ha in Dong Hoa town and Tuy An, Song Hinh district in 2021-2025.

According to Do Ngoc Thuy, director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Phu Yen province, currently, health care for people and skills training for landmine victims are prioritized by the province, but the high-need areas are sizable.

Therefore, the implementation of the work of improving the capacity to clear bombs and mines, and explosives left over from the war in heavily polluted areas for socio-economic development is an urgent requirement to improve the living environment, protecting people's lives and properties, contributing to ensuring social security and promoting economic development.

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