(VOVworld) – Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by bombs and their consequences in the world. About 800,000 tons of exploded ordnances (UXOs) are scattered across 20 percent of the country’s land. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs released the figure at a Wednesday meeting on bomb and landmine clearance work to mark International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on April 4th.
A map of bomb and landmine contamination shows that about 6.8 million ha of land is contaminated or suspected of contamination, equivalent to 20.7% of the territory. Exploded ordnance is scattered in all localities, mainly in the central region.
Since 1975, more than about 40,000 people were killed and 60,000 injured by ordnance left over from the war. Vietnam has collected and disposed of hundreds of millions of tons of bombs and landmines to restore a peaceful environment for the people.
To Duc, Deputy Director of the Social Protection Department, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, says: “We have cooperated with sectors and localities to develop support services for people with disabilities and victims of post-war explosives. We’ll review policies for the victims to give them adequate support. We’ll also direct the local administration to implement the incentives effectively.”
The Ministry estimates bomb and landmine clearance will cost 10 billion USD over 100 years.