The central province of Quang Tri, the site of many fierce battles during the American war, is doing its utmost alongside foreign organisations to mitigate the consequences caused by unexploded ordnance (UXOs).
Statistically, some 391,500 ha of land in the province is contaminated due to war-era UXOs, making up more than 83 percent of the provincial area.
This has badly affected the local socio-economic development, environment, and health, and more seriously, claimed the lives of thousands of residents.
In 1996, Quang Tri was the first locality in Vietnam to receive global support in defusing bombs and mines. One of the first international organisations assisting the province was Mine Advisory Group (MAG), which has closely coordinated with local authorities to clear over 6.1 million square meters of land for cultivating since 1999.
The group has also detected and treated more than 133,000 pieces of explosive materials and 2,500 bombs and mines left from war, thus benefiting over 1.5 million local residents.
Le Van Tra, a MGA technical coordinator, said the group is taking prompt actions to disable a number of UXOs discovered by residents.
Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chinh said surmounting the war aftermaths takes time, cost and effort. In the coming time, local authorities will call for the government to continue investment into the field, as well as help the province to access support from humanitarian organisations and sponsors to revitalise the locality, Chinh added.
The National Steering Committee for Recovery over the Postwar Bomb and Landmine Impacts reported that about 800,000 tonnes of UXOs are scattered across 6.6 million hectares, or 20.12 percent of the country’s land, putting people in danger every day.
Latest statistics show that UXOs have killed more than 42,000 people and injured 60,000 others nationwide.
An International Mine Action Day will be held on April 4, with related events held across the globe, including in Vietnam.-VNA
Statistically, some 391,500 ha of land in the province is contaminated due to war-era UXOs, making up more than 83 percent of the provincial area.
This has badly affected the local socio-economic development, environment, and health, and more seriously, claimed the lives of thousands of residents.
In 1996, Quang Tri was the first locality in Vietnam to receive global support in defusing bombs and mines. One of the first international organisations assisting the province was Mine Advisory Group (MAG), which has closely coordinated with local authorities to clear over 6.1 million square meters of land for cultivating since 1999.
The group has also detected and treated more than 133,000 pieces of explosive materials and 2,500 bombs and mines left from war, thus benefiting over 1.5 million local residents.
Le Van Tra, a MGA technical coordinator, said the group is taking prompt actions to disable a number of UXOs discovered by residents.
Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chinh said surmounting the war aftermaths takes time, cost and effort. In the coming time, local authorities will call for the government to continue investment into the field, as well as help the province to access support from humanitarian organisations and sponsors to revitalise the locality, Chinh added.
The National Steering Committee for Recovery over the Postwar Bomb and Landmine Impacts reported that about 800,000 tonnes of UXOs are scattered across 6.6 million hectares, or 20.12 percent of the country’s land, putting people in danger every day.
Latest statistics show that UXOs have killed more than 42,000 people and injured 60,000 others nationwide.
An International Mine Action Day will be held on April 4, with related events held across the globe, including in Vietnam.-VNA
