The association's executive board. Photo: VNA
(VOVworld) – Activities to support victims of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) are of great necessity, said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at a Wednesday ceremony to establish the Vietnam Bombs and Mines Action Support Association in Hanoi. He said the government had established a national steering committee to tackle UXOs issues after the war, adding that a national program on this matter was set up to mobilize international and national resources to reduce UXOs’ impacts on Vietnam’s socio-economic development. He said: "This new association whose members suffered in the fiercest period of the war, will play a key role in connecting people to contribute to the goal of tackling UXO issues which involves communications, fund-raising, and people-to-people diplomacy. The association is expected to connect people across Vietnam as well as the international community to support UXO victims and help them reintegrate into the community."

Delegates approved the association’s statute, an action program to tackle UXOs consequences in the 2015-2020 period, and elected an executive board of 35 members. The association will be headed by former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat.