Vietnam MoLISA Steps up Post-War Bomb, Mine Clearance Efforts
Vietnam’s 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, Vietnam 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).
Vietnam will implement the South Korea – Vietnam Peace Village Project in the 2022 – 2026 period in three provinces of Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, and Binh Dinh.
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 Vietnam among a large number of people nationwide.
According to MoLISA, nearly 5.6 million hectares, equivalent to 17.7% of Vietnam’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 Vietnam 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 ten localities of Khanh Hoa, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Quang Ninh, Thua Thien Hue, Danang, Quang Nam, Quang Binh, Binh Dinh, and Vinh Long.
In 2023, the Army Corps of Engineers developed a plan to clear 1,500ha of land contaminated with heavy mines and bombs in Vi Xuyen and Quan Ba districts in Ha Giang Province.
To date, 1,232ha have been cleaned (80% of the plan) and handed over to the people for production.