Mine clearance activities in Vị Xuyên, Hà Giang. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) will coordinate with relevant agencies this year to continue bomb, mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) recovery efforts to clear land, serving public welfare and socio-economic development.

In 2024, the ministry’s National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-War Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Steering Committee 701) and the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) will implement the plan to overcome the consequences of land mines.

They will collect data to prepare a summary report on the implementation and develop an ordinance on overcoming the consequences of bombs and mines left from the war.

They will develop a national strategy on education to prevent mine accidents, while completing a set of national standards for post-war bomb and mine disposal and submit it to the Ministry of Science and Technology for approval before December 2024.

In 2024, Việt Nam will call for international funding and promote the implementation of signed memorandums of understanding in mine clearance with partners in the United States, South Korea, Japan, the UK, Switzerland, Russia and international organisations such as Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), UNDP and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Việt Nam will implement the Korea – Việt Nam Peace Village Project in the 2022 – 2026 period in three provinces of Thừa Thiên-Huế, Quảng Nam and Bình Định.

In response to the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (April 4), Steering Committee 701 and VNMAC launched an online contest on how to recognise and prevent mine accidents on the portal vnmac.gov.vn.

The contest aims to raise awareness about preventing and avoiding accidents with mines and explosive devices left by war in Việt Nam among a large number of people nationwide.

According to MoLISA, nearly 5.6 million hectares, equivalent to 17.7 per cent of Việt Nam’s total area, are still contaminated with UXO as of the end of 2023. 

It is estimated that approximately 800,000 tonnes of explosives were left across Việt Nam after the wars.

Bombs, mines and UXO are still scattered in 63 provinces and cities, with many concentrated in the central, Central Highlands and southeastern provinces.

The country currently has over 7.06 million people with disabilities, including tens of thousands of victims of landmines and exposure to Agent Orange/dioxin.

Since 1975, explosive remnants of mines have killed more than 40,000 people and injured 60,000 others. The majority of victims are family workers, ethnic minorities and children.

The MoLISA has offered healthcare, livelihood support, employment, credit loans for production and business for landmine victims and people with disabilities in 10 localities of Khánh Hòa, Thanh Hóa, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Ninh, Thừa Thiên Huế, Đà Nẵng, Quảng Nam, Quảng Bình, Bình Định and Vĩnh Long.

In 2023, the Army Corps of Engineers developed a plan to clear 1,500ha of land contaminated with heavy mines and bombs in Vị Xuyên and Quản Bạ districts in Hà Giang Province.

To date, 1,232ha have been cleaned (80 per cent of the plan) and handed over to the people for production. — VNS