At the programme (Photo: VNA)Quang Ngai (VNA) – A programme to provide livelihoods, freemedical check-ups and medicines for victims of landmines and unexploded ordnances (UXOs) left from the war was held inthe central province of Quang Ngai on April 11.
Jointly organised by the Vietnam Association for Supporting UXO/Mine Action Efforts (VNASMA), its chapter in Quang Ngai, the PeaceFoundation and the Ho Chi Minh CityUniversity of Medicine and Pharmacy, the programme also aimed to raise publicawareness of preventing post-war bomb and mine accidents in Quang Ngai.
At theevent, about 500 people who are victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin and landmines and UXO accidents, and poor patients in Nghia Hanh and Ba Todistricts were given free medical check-ups and medicines.
Twenty poor households in the districts were also presented with cows worth 12 millionVND (around 521 USD) each, while 20 other families with difficult circumstanceswere provided with 15 million VND each to help them repair their houses.
Meanwhile,40 bicycles, worth 2 million VND each, were given to needy students who showgood performance in their study.
VNASMA Chairman Nguyen Duc Soat said after seven years of operation, theassociation has supported many victims of landmine/UXO accidents, helping them escapefrom poverty and improve their incomes.
QuangNgai is one of the localities that are heavily suffering post-war bomb and minepollution. Statistics show that the province has over 20 percent of naturalland contaminated with over 17,500 tonnes of post-warbombs, mines and UXOs left in the ground, lakes, and coastal areas.
Since1975, Quang Ngai has recorded nearly 2,300 victims of post-war landmine and UXOaccidents, including nearly 1,600 injured people. Most of the victims become aburden to their families, so they really need assistance to overcomedifficulties./.
