Development partners commit to landmine clearance
(VOV) -Development partners at a March 14 conference were resolute in their commitment to provide Vietnam technical and financial assistance, share experiences and support victims of post-war unexploded ordnance (UXO).
To this end, they expect in return, to receive Vietnam’s close cooperation in information exchange, data provision, and international experience sharing on matters related to the disposal of bombs and mines.
They acknowledged Vietnam’s valiant effort in overcoming the consequences of leftover bombs and mines, and in fulfilling international commitment in the field.
The partners pledged to work closely with the newly established Vietnam National Mine Action Centre to speed up mine clearing efforts.
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| PM Nguyen Tan Dung |
Addressing the Hanoi conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called on the US to make greater and more practical contributions to searching, cleaning up and overcoming the consequences of bombs and mines left over from the war.
He noted though the war ended nearly 40 years ago, it continues to cause heavy consequences in Vietnam. Unexploded ordnance has been found in almost all provinces and cities, affecting socio-economic development and human life.
On average more than 1,500 people die and nearly 2,300 others are seriously wounded from bomb and mine explosions every year. Many of the victims are children
The PM said the Vietnamese government has paid special attention to research, finalised the management system, and poured more investment into UXO removal.
A national programme of action on settling the consequences of unexploded ordnance (programme 504) has been established to guide the work.
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As a result, Vietnam has cleaned up tens of thousands of hectares of contaminated land, drawn a national map on UXO, and implemented a number of UXO clearance projects.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and Committee 504 have jointly developed negotiation plans and signed cooperation agreements with the governments and organisations of foreign countries, to mobilise aid for programme 504.
The PM called on donors to support the Vietnamese Government and Committee 504 in settling the consequences of war aftermath, as well as in mobilising and utilising foreign aid effectively.
“Let’s stand and work together to build trust, maintain peace, and strengthen friendship and development cooperation to bring safety and happiness to all people,” Dung said.
“Let’s join hands to prevent wars and armed conflicts so that all countries and people will no longer suffer the horrendous consequences caused by leftover bombs and mines.”
To date Vietnam has signed memoranda of understanding on UXO disposal and support for victims with the US, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the International Centre.
It has also worked out cooperation programmes with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), as well as within the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).