International Support for Vietnamese UXO Victims

A conference on international cooperation in supporting Vietnamese bomb and mine survivors convened on June 22 in Hanoi. Delegates discussed support priorities, functional rehabilitation, legislations, social services, and ways to enable livelihood for victims. Addressing the event, Le Kim Dung, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs said, “International organizations, especially non-governmental organizations have provided great support for the victims. They support us in improving policies, generating jobs for the disabled, and establishing a livelihood for bomb and mine victims. They have also provided us with technical support in order to expand support services.” Many international organizations have supported survivors so that they can earn a living, improve their lives, and re-integrate with the community. Secretary General of the Vietnam Association for Supporting UXO/Mine Action Efforts Phan Duc Tuan said most of the UXO victims are farmers and breadwinners living under difficult circumstances. They are given support policies designed exclusively for the poor but they lack developmental skills and economic opportunities, he explained, pointing to their different backgrounds, occupations and labor skills. Serif Bajric from the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) said the NPA has coordinated with the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre to carry out a project for the management of UXO victim database in central Quang Tri province which is expected to aid relevant parties in planning and designing support for the victims. Le Thi Nhat of the International Red Cross Committee of the Move Ability Fund said, “Our project began in 1989. We provide functional rehabilitation support for the disabled and bomb and mine victims nationwide. In previous phases, the number of bomb and mine victims accounted for up to 70% of the project beneficiaries. Now among 30,000 beneficiaries of our project, 60% are bomb and mine victims.” (VOV June 22)