Vietnam marks international day for mine awareness

(VNF) - A meeting was held in Hanoi on March 31^st in response to the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (April 4^th).

Bomb and mine victims received gifts at the event. (Photo: VGP)

Held by the State Steering Committee on the National Action Programme on Settling Consequences of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), the event witnessed the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Labour Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), other ministries and sectors, as well as thousands of youngsters.

In his speech at the event, Deputy Minister of MoLISA Le Quan stressed the goal of resolving landmine and UXO contamination in a sustainable manner, the Vietnamese Government has paid special attention to devising social support mechanisms and policies for victims of bombs and mines nationwide.

All bomb and mine victims across the country have been provided with health insurance cards and rehabilitation support, as well as having the opportunity to join vocational training programmes, he added.

Quan highlighted the valuable assistance and efforts made by international donors and foreign non-government organisations for Vietnam in the work, saying that Vietnam hopes to continue receiving cooperation and help from the international community in the scheme.

The event included many activities such as a parade with the participation of a large number of local people, youths and students and an exhibition featuring objects and photos on UXO pollution and danger, as well as Vietnam’s efforts in the work.

A parade takes place in Hanoi on Saturday morning in response to International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. (Photo: VGP)

Vietnam is among the countries with serious UXO pollution and suffers from the most severe war consequences in the world.

It is estimated that around 800,000 tonnes of UXO were left across the country after the war ended, mostly in the central region. 6.13 million hectares of land in Vietnam contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnances (UXOs), accounting for 18.82 per cent of the country’s total land area.

At least 100,000 people have been injured or killed by bombs and mines since 1975, while the environment and natural resources have also been affected.

The land of Quang Binh and Binh Dinh provinces are severely contaminated with UXOs and the number of victims is increasing with limited preventive measures. The contaminated land in Binh Dinh accounts for over 40 per cent of its total land area and UXO-caused approximately 3,000 casualties, whilst the respective figures in Quang Binh are roughly 28 per cent and nearly 6,000 people./.

VNF