At the seminar (Photo: VNA) The event drew the participation of experts from the MineAdvisory Group (MAG) of the UK, Jangan University in the Republic of Korea, theVietnam Mine Action Centre of the central province of Quang Tri and theMinistry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).
Foreign experts discussed issues of interest in internationalcooperation on addressing UXO consequences, the collection of data on UXOremoval, and legal corridor and capacity building in working out UXO removalprogrammes with support from foreign partners.
Effective models in UXO clearance in Quang Tri province were also shared at theevent.
According to the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre, all 63provinces and centrally-run cities in Vietnam are contaminated with UXO, with 5.6million 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 hiddenunderground, and 110,000 people have so far become victims of UXO.
After a national action programme to tackle the impact of post-war bombs and mines in 2010-2025(Programme 504) was issued in 2010, Vietnam has mobilized over 2.1 trillion VND(84.5 million USD at current exchange rate) for the work. International cooperation projects have beenconducted to survey UXO contaminated on 18,000 ha of land and remove UXO on9,000 ha in the three central provinces of Quang Binh, Binh Dinh and ThuaThien-Hue.
A national strategy for UXO risk education has also been built along with a databaseon UXO contamination.
Phu Yen officials reported that over 20% of the province’s natural area is contaminatewith UXO. Many incidents related to UXO have been happening, killing orinjuring a number of people.
From 2016-2020, the province cleared 1,104 ha of land from UXO in Dong Hoa townand Phu Hoa district. Phu Yen plans to clear another 1,800 ha in Dong Hoa townand Tuy An, Song Hinh district in 2021-2025./.
VNA
