Quang Tri targets 3,000ha of land freed from UXO each year
The central province of Quang Tri, which has the greatest amount of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the country, is working to clear about 3,000ha of land each year to become the first Vietnamese locality to be safe from UXO accidents by 2025.
Experts search for UXOs in Hai Lang district of Quang Tri province (Photo: VNA)
The provincial People’s Committee has issued a plan for implementing an action programme for settling the consequences of UXO in 2021-2025.
Beside land clearance, Quang Tri will look to raise 10 million USD annually from foreign non-governmental organisations to address UXO, complete all cluster bomb detection activities, and publicise areas identified as dangerous due to UXO.
It plans to help 60,000 people access education on UXO and have 1,300-1,500 UXO victims and their families receive healthcare and livelihood support every year.
All local schools are expected to include UXO safety education in their curricula within the next five years.
To realise these targets, the provincial administration has devised several solutions, including stepping up the mobilisation of foreign funding for dealing with UXO, building a policy on developing human resources for UXO settlement, increasing training for those who manage and steer the work, and boosting communications to raise awareness among relevant agencies and the community and engender a sense of responsibility on the issue.
Eighty-two percent of Quang Tri’s area is contaminated by UXO. Wartime bombs and landmines have killed more than 3,430 local people and injured 5,100 others.
The province has cooperated since 1995 with international organisations such as Peace Trees Vietnam, the Mines Advisory Group, Clear Path International, and the Norwegian People’s Aid on clearing UXO./
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