Vietnam needs billions of USD and 100 years to clean out UXOs left by wars

PSNews – Vietnam needs dozens of billions of USD and about 100 years to clean out 6.13 million hectares or 18.71% of the country’s total area contaminated with about 800,000 tons of bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left by wars.

The information was revealed by Senior Colonel Nguyen Hanh Phuc, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Mine Action Center and Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Postwar Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences under the Ministry of National Defense during a conference on April 2 in Hanoi.

Vietnam needs billions of USD and 100 years to clean out UXOs left by wars.
Vietnam needs billions of USD and 100 years to clean out UXOs left by wars.

Senior Colonel Nguyen Hanh Phuc added that the bombs, mines and UXOs left by wars are scattered over all 63 cities and provinces of the country, with a high concentration in central provinces.

Since 1975, UXOs have killed more than 40,000 people and injured 60,000 others. Many of them are family breadwinners and even children. All the remaining UXOs are dangerous and can explode at any time with external impacts, causing casualties to human.

To clean out the contaminated UXOs, Vietnam need billions of USD and at least 100 years, not to mention additional billions of USD for resettlement and social security assurance.

Right after the end of war, the Party and State have determined the settlement of UXOs as an urgent but long-term task. The Party and the State have also given large assistance for bomb and mines victims by providing them medical and social benefits.

The country is still seeking domestic and international resources and support to deal with the consequences of wars. 

By Thien Minh

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