The central province ofQuang Tri, the site of many fierce battles during the American war, isdoing its utmost alongside foreign organisations to mitigate theconsequences caused by unexploded ordnance (UXOs).
Statistically, some 391,500 ha of land in the province is contaminateddue to war-era UXOs, making up more than 83 percent of the provincialarea.
This has badly affected the local socio-economicdevelopment, environment, and health, and more seriously, claimed thelives of thousands of residents.
In 1996, Quang Tri was thefirst locality in Vietnam to receive global support in defusingbombs and mines. One of the first international organisations assistingthe province was Mine Advisory Group (MAG), which has closelycoordinated with local authorities to clear over 6.1 million squaremeters of land for cultivating since 1999.
The group has alsodetected and treated more than 133,000 pieces of explosive materialsand 2,500 bombs and mines left from war, thus benefiting over 1.5million local residents.
Le Van Tra, a MGA technicalcoordinator, said the group is taking prompt actions to disable a numberof UXOs discovered by residents.
Deputy Chairman of theprovincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chinh said surmounting the waraftermaths takes time, cost and effort. In the coming time, localauthorities will call for the government to continue investment into thefield, as well as help the province to access support from humanitarianorganisations and sponsors to revitalise the locality, Chinh added.
The National Steering Committee for Recovery over the PostwarBomb and Landmine Impacts reported that about 800,000 tonnes of UXOs arescattered across 6.6 million hectares, or 20.12 percent of thecountry’s land, putting people in danger every day.
Latest statistics show that UXOs have killed more than 42,000 people and injured 60,000 others nationwide.
An International Mine Action Day will be held on April 4, withrelated events held across the globe, including in Vietnam.-VNA
Statistically, some 391,500 ha of land in the province is contaminateddue to war-era UXOs, making up more than 83 percent of the provincialarea.
This has badly affected the local socio-economicdevelopment, environment, and health, and more seriously, claimed thelives of thousands of residents.
In 1996, Quang Tri was thefirst locality in Vietnam to receive global support in defusingbombs and mines. One of the first international organisations assistingthe province was Mine Advisory Group (MAG), which has closelycoordinated with local authorities to clear over 6.1 million squaremeters of land for cultivating since 1999.
The group has alsodetected and treated more than 133,000 pieces of explosive materialsand 2,500 bombs and mines left from war, thus benefiting over 1.5million local residents.
Le Van Tra, a MGA technicalcoordinator, said the group is taking prompt actions to disable a numberof UXOs discovered by residents.
Deputy Chairman of theprovincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chinh said surmounting the waraftermaths takes time, cost and effort. In the coming time, localauthorities will call for the government to continue investment into thefield, as well as help the province to access support from humanitarianorganisations and sponsors to revitalise the locality, Chinh added.
The National Steering Committee for Recovery over the PostwarBomb and Landmine Impacts reported that about 800,000 tonnes of UXOs arescattered across 6.6 million hectares, or 20.12 percent of thecountry’s land, putting people in danger every day.
Latest statistics show that UXOs have killed more than 42,000 people and injured 60,000 others nationwide.
An International Mine Action Day will be held on April 4, withrelated events held across the globe, including in Vietnam.-VNA
