HÀ NỘI — Twenty landmine victims from the northern mountainous province of Hà Giang received VNĐ12 million (US$526) each on Saturday, in a bid to secure their livelihoods under the framework of the April 4 International Mine Awareness Day.

The event, hosted by the the National Steering Committee on Overcoming Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences, saw the participation of related agencies, embassies, international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

Speaking at the event, Lê Quân, deputy minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, emphasised Việt Nam’s efforts in the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance, as well as their policies to provide assistance for landmine victims.

Moreover, he stressed the cooperation and financial aid in mine clearance, funded by international sponsors and organisations. To accomplish the mine cleanup in the contaminated area of 800,000ha, the Government of Việt Nam highly appreciates the assistance and expects to continue receiving support from the international community in the future.

Lý Văn Phù from Thanh Thuỷ Commune, Vị Xuyên District, Hà Giang Province, who was crippled by an exploding mine while working in a field, is among 20 victims receiving the assistance.

“In spite of having a disability, I am still the family’s breadwinner. The local authorities orientate us to invest the money into buying cows. I hope that this financial support can help us earn a better livelihood in the near future,” he said.

In 2017, the Việt Nam Mine Action Centre, in collaboration with the Việt Nam Bomb and Mine Action Assistance Fund, operated the livelihood assistance programme to provide assistance to 151 landmine victims, with the aid of VNĐ1.8 billion ($79,000).

Capacity building projects for victims were also conducted, with the support of the United States, Japan, United Kingdom and other international organisations. Early last month, the project to remedy the consequences of post-war bombs and mines in an area of 6.13 million ha of land was launched in the central province of Quảng Bình by the governments of Việt Nam and South Korea.

Under the event’s framework, other activities were also carried out, including a march around Hoàn Kiếm (Returned Sword) Lake, a photo exhibition and the gathering of a flashmob. — VNS