Head of the Steering Committee 701 Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, who is Deputy Defense Minister, chaired the event. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh, representatives from ministries, central departments, and functional agencies of the Ministry of National Defense were present.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the event. |
According to a report delivered at the meeting, last year, important outcomes were obtained in treating post-war bombs and mines and toxic chemicals in hotspots, helping mitigate bad impacts on environment and people. As many as 40,556 hectares of land were cleared from bombs and mines.
Policies and health care services for victims of post-war explosives and toxic chemicals were carried out effectively. Also in the year, the committee sped up dissemination of information, promoted international cooperation, called for more support, did more scientific research to contribute to the achievements of the work.
In 2023, the governments of the U.S., the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Norwegian People's Aid were committed to adding about USD 176 million in ODA capital for the work. Of the sum, USD 117 million was for the dioxin treatment project at Bien Hoa Airbase. The U.S. sent a letter announcing an additional USD 30 million for activities in support of victims of Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin. The Belgian Chamber of Representatives passed a Resolution on October 5, 2023 in support of Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin. This was the first parliament in the world to pass a resolution on AO victims.
This year, the work will be promoted with a focus on continuing to implement eight projects on overcoming bombs and mines and toxic chemicals consequences, building an ordinance on the work, further information dissemination, implement signed international cooperation documents, expand cooperation with Russia and Belgium, organize activities to improve capacity and enhance research to deal with post-war bombs, mines, and toxic chemicals, among others.
In his concluding speech, Gen. Chien requested the Ministries of Planning and Investment, and Finance to coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense to study and report to the Prime Minister on the allocation of about VND 800 billion in clearing post-war bombs and mines in four Northern border provinces, namely Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, and Lang Son.
He asked the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health to direct the identification of generations of victims as a basis for proposals, programs and projects to care for and ensure employment for victims of post-war bombs and mines, toxic chemicals, AO/dioxin.
He also requested the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment and Science and Technology to continue working with the Ministry of National Defense to review and approve the design of dioxin treatment technology at Bien Hoa Airbase in accordance with Vietnam's regulations and standards.
The deputy minister also laid stress on accelerating international cooperation in the work to promote its efficiency.
Translated by Mai Huong