Soldiers search for unexploded bombs and mines in central Quang Tri province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and The International Center, a non-governmental organisation, held a conference in Hanoi on December 14 to enhance international cooperation in aiding bomb and mine victims.
Data shows that there are about 800,000 tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left from war in Vietnam, contaminating nearly 20 percent of the country’s area and killing and injuring more than 100,000 people since the American war ended in 1975.
In past years, the Vietnamese Government has made efforts to settle UXO consequences as evidenced by the national action programme on settling post-war bomb and landmine impacts for 2010-2025. Assisting UXO victims is among important activities of this programme.
However, addressing UXO consequences and supporting victims requires considerable human and material resources.
At the conference, participants shared information about support for UXO victims, the settlement of post-war UXO consequences, and plans for future activities. They discussed solutions to assist victims and help them with social reintergration.
They also gave opinions on a draft plan on assisting UXO victims’ reintegration which will be combined with a support programme targeting people with disabilities between 2017 and 2020.
The plan focuses on medical services for victims, developing functional rehabilitation systems, supporting means of living, and making mechanisms and policies for social services development.-VNA
VNA
