The Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation under the International Centre (IC-VVAF) and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) will work with Vietnam in effectively overcoming bomb and mine aftermaths.

To this effect, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Hanoi on March 27 between IC-VVAF, GICHD and the State Steering Committee on National Action Programme on settling consequences caused by unexploded ordnance (UXO), also known as the Steering Board 504.

Under the MoU, by 2015, the two centres will provide consultations to help Vietnam continue the effective implementation of the action programme on overcoming UXO consequences as well as improving the country’s capacity in this work.

They will assist Vietnam in building an information management system and other systems necessary for plan-making and effective coordination among the involved sides.

In addition, IC-VVAF and GICHD will help Vietnam improve the surveying and clearance of UXO and include them in the country’s socio-economic development programmes.

The two centres will support the country to build national standards on overcoming consequences caused by post-war bombs, mines and explosives in line with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).

GICHD and IC-VVAF will also provide Vietnam with a system to monitor bomb and mine accidents and victims, while designing and implementing programmes to support the victims. They will create conditions for Vietnam to increase its information access and participation in international demining through seminars and training courses.

Meanwhile, the Steering Board 504 will be responsible for building annual cooperation plans with the two centres and implementing approved cooperation projects and programmes.

During the war, Vietnam was subjected to 15 million bombs, mines, artillery shells and other munitions. As much as 10 percent of these ordnances are estimated to have yet been defused.-VNA