Nearly 500,000 hectares of land cleared of UXOs
VGP - Nearly 500,000 hectares of land were cleared of bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in the 2014-2023 period, according to the Viet Nam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC).
Illustration photo
The figure was released at a ceremony to celebrate VNMAC’s 10th founding anniversary in Ha Noi on March 4.
In 2010, the Vietnamese Government issued a National Action Program to overcome the consequences of post-war ordnances in the 2010-2015 period (Program 504).
The Government established the VNMAC, under the direction of the Prime Minister and the management of the Ministry of National Defense, which was tasked to manage, coordinate and implement Program 504, on March 4, 2014.
Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army hailed the VNMAC for its good performance on promoting research, analysis, and forecasting of international and domestic situations related to the work to improve the quality of consultations and build plans to implement Program 504; and coordinating with relevant agencies to build a plan to overcome the consequences for the 2026 - 2045 period, with orientations to 2050.
In the coming time, the VNMAC should compose the content of the Ordinance on overcoming post-war bomb and mine consequences in Viet Nam; effectively implement dissemination to raise public awareness of accident prevention; and work with international organizations to provide training on bomb and mine settlement and first aid in accordance with international standards.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance left over from the war are still endangering people's lives and Viet Nam’s sustainable development. Viet Nam has taken various measures to resolve the problem of lands and mines through international cooperation in sharing data and technology.
Statistics showed that about one fifth of Viet Nam’s land – 5.6 million hectares – remains contaminated with unexploded ordnances. It is estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 tons of bombs and mines left over from the wars are still hidden underground.
According to the Viet Nam National Mine Action Center, some 40,000 Vietnamese people have died and 60,000 are injured in UXO-related cases since 1975. Viet Nam now needs to clear 5.6 million hectares of UXO-contaminated land, equal to 17.1 percent of the country's total area. Viet Nam hopes to remove unexploded ordnances on 350,000 hectares in 2023-2028./.
