The project recovered 235 explosives, including bombs, grenades, artillery shells and mortars. Photo dantri.com.vn

THỪA THIÊN-HUẾ — Residents of A Lưới District in the central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế are now able to expand their farming operations after over 50 hectares of land was cleared of unexploded ordnance (UXO). The successful removal of UXO from the area has now made this land safe for cultivation, boosting the local community and economy.

This was the outcome of the third phase of a project on clearing UXO in A Lưới District conducted by the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC). 

The Demining Mines and Explosives Project in A Lưới - Phase 3, implemented for ten months from March to December 2022, detected and handled 235 explosives of many kinds, including bombs, grenades, artillery shells and mortars.

In his statements at the meeting, Phan Quý Phương, deputy chairman of the provincial People's Committee, expressed his hope for continued assistance from donors for the province to access various resources to carry out demining and development programmes. He highlighted that the area is greatly impacted by the leftover bombs and mines from the war and emphasised the need for land for the socio-economic development of residents.

Thừa Thiên-Huế is committed to creating favourable conditions for foreign organisations, including non-governmental organisations, to operate effectively in this regard.

US Ambassador to Việt Nam Marc E. Knapper and Norwegian People's Aid to Vietnam Country Director Jan Erik Stoa were among the participants at the event. — VNS