According to statistics from the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC), more than 40,000 Vietnamese people have died and 60,000 have been injured due to UXO left over from the war. On average, UXO explosion claims the lives of more than 1,000 people every year, and over 1,300 people are left with lifelong disabilities.
Despite difficult conditions after the war, Vietnam has always prioritized allocating significant resources to address the consequences of UXO, including clearing them and providing social assistance to UXO victims to reintegrate them into the community, and disseminating educational information to prevent UXO-related accidents.
    |
 |
|
VNMAC presents gifts to children in Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province. |
Senior Colonel Nguyen Hanh Phuc, VNMAC Deputy Director-General, stated that as of 2022, the total UXO-contaminated area is still very large, requiring a lot of time and resources to completely clean up and provide a safe living environment for people, contributing to sustainable development of the country.
The estimated volume of UXO remaining in Vietnam after the war is around 800,000 tons, with a total area of contamination and suspected contamination of around 6.1 million hectares, accounting for 18.31% of the country's total area. UXO is still scattered in 63 provinces and cities, with a high concentration in the Central, Central Highlands, and Southeastern regions.
Colonel Phuc also stated that in 2023, VNMAC will collect data to prepare a report on the implementation of the National Mine Action Program for the 2010-2025 period, propose the program for the 2025-2045 period, and the orientation towards 2050. VNMAC will also develop mechanisms to mobilize domestic and international funding, build and issue a comprehensive national strategy on UXO risk education.
Pham Thi Hai Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Assistance under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said that "currently, there are over 7.06 million people with disabilities in the whole country, including thousands of victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and those exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin." She emphasized that the government is working towards providing support and assistance to them.
Translated by Chung Anh