VNMAC, HALO Trust helps Lang Son clear war-left bombs, landmines

Vietnam clears 40,000-50,000ha of contaminated area each year using domestic sources and support from the international community. (Photo:VNA)

Lang Son (VNA) - A delegation from the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) and HALO Trust of the United Kingdom held a working session with the People's Committee of northern border Lang Son province on coordination in overcoming the consequences of bombs, landmines and unexploded ordnances in the locality.

Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee  Luong Trong Quynh spoke highly of VNMAC and HALO Trust for their assistance and affirmed the local administration would actively coordinate and create the most favourable conditions for them to carry out surveys and identified locations where there were bombs, landmines and explosives in the province. 

The returning of land which was cleared of bomb, landmines and other unexploded ordnances would facilitate local residents in organising production and improving their lives while helping the province have resources for socio-economic development as well as ensuring national defence and security, he said.

Participants at the meeting discussed the contamination of bombs, landmines and other unexploded ordinances in the province and the need to overcome the consequences of these ordinances.

VNMAC and HALO Trust are expected to complete the surveys and preparation work in 2022 and start the clearance in Lang Son province from the beginning of 2023.

It is estimated that the province has more than 45,650 hectares of land contaminated with bombs, landmines and unexploded ordnances, accounting for 10 percent of the total land area. As many as 8,593 hectares have been cleared from these explosives since 1991./.