VietNamNet Bridge – It is estimated that the volume of bombs and mines left from the war is around 800,000 tons, polluting more than 20% of Vietnam’s total area. All 63 provinces and cities inthe country are polluted with mines.

The figures were released at a press conference on the occasion of the UN International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (April 4), held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs in Hanoi on Thursday.

Between 1945 and 1975, more than 15 million tonnes of bombs and mines, four times the amount used in World War II, were dumped on Vietnam.

Since Vietnam’s unification in 1975, bombs and mines left from the war in Vietnam killed more than 40,000 people and injured 60,000 others, mainly those of working-age and children.

The unexploded bombs and mines are still scattered across the country, mostly in the central provinces.

In some central provinces alone, including Quang Binh, Binh Dinh, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien - Hue and Quang Ngai, there are over 22,800 people who are victims of landmines, with 10,540 deaths and,12,260 injured victims.

Experts said the major causes of accidents are people’s lack of knowledge about handling weapons, landmines and explosives, and the search for bombs and mines as war scraps.

Statistics show that 34% of the landmine-related accidents occurred while victims were searching for war scrap, 27% during farming or grazing cattle and 21% while playing with explosives.

It is estimated it will take 100 years and $10 billion to clear post-war mines remaining in Vietnam, said the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

According to To Duc, Deputy Director of the ministry’s Department of Social Protection, a medical unit specialising in care and rehabilitation for UXOs victims has been piloted since 2011, and now is available in ten communes, producing good outcomes.

The Vietnamese government approved a 2010-2025 national programme on tackling post-war bombs, mines and unexploded ordnances on April 21, 2010, known as Programme 504. Its goal is to use national and international resources to minimise the effects of UXOs on social-economic development, defence and security, while ensuring safety for people and helping victims reintegrate into society.

The State Steering Committee for the national action programme on settling post-war bomb and landmine impacts has appealed to international and non-governmental organisations for help, in an attempt to shorten the time it will take to clear the country of mines.

Le Ha