PM calls on int'l partners to continue assistance in dealing with war consequences

The Government chief made the call at a meeting on Thursday to review the National Mine Action Program for the 2010-2020 period and to work out mission orientation for the 2021-2025 period.

The event drew the participation of Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, leaders from ministries, agencies and localities, Ambassadors and representatives from international organizations and non-Governmental organizations.

Since 1975, more than there have been more than 40,000 deaths and 60,000 injuries caused by post-war bombs and mine, according to statistics.

UXO claimed more than 1,000 lives and injured more than 1,300 others on average each year.

Before the launch of the program, 6.1 million ha of land was contaminated with UXO, accounting for 18.82 percent of the country's total land area.

Following the introduction of the program, UXO detection and clearance were carried out on 485,000 ha at a cost of over VND12 trillion (US$553 million). The total funding includes nearly VND2.2 trillion in foreign non-refundable aid.

More than 5,000 UXO victims and other affected people have received assistance in terms of healthcare, vocational training and livelihoods.

In addition, hundreds of thousands of people, particularly children and residents living in areas heavily polluted with UXO could access to measures for prevention of UXO related accidents, thus helping to significantly reducing death rate.