Hanoi (VNA) – Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc has asked for greater efforts and higher awareness fromrelevant agencies in dealing with war-left landmines and unexploded ordnances(UXO) consequences and toxic chemical contaminated soil as the works is urgentto protect people’s safety and their living environment.

Speaking at an exchange programmemarking International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action(April 4) in Hanoi on April 3, the leader asked for quick reduction of areascontaminated with bombs, mines and UXO, as well as better prevention andsupport for victims.

“Although the war has been over, thesevere consequences of landmines, UXO and toxic chemicals still exist,affecting human health and living environment in many parts of the country,”said PM Phuc, who is also head of the National Steering Committee on theSettlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences(Committee 701).

“Many people have lost their lives orsuffered the loss of a part of their body or lost their loved ones. Theconsequences of landmine and UXO contamination have also limited socio-economicdevelopment and become an obstacle to Vietnam’s sustainable development goals,”he noted.

Over the past few years, the Party andthe State have always paid great attention to the work, and rolled out majorpolicies and guidelines to help overcome the consequences, especiallysupporting victims of landmines and toxic chemicals after the war, PM Phucsaid.

Ministries, agencies and localitiesnationwide have also actively coordinated with international organisations toremove war-left bombs, mines and chemicals, he added.

The leader cited a dioxin remediationproject at Da Nang airport between Vietnam and the US and another project onthe settlement of bomb and mine consequences in the central provinces of QuangBinh and Quang Tri between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

He used the occasion to thank internationaldonors and non-governmental organisations for providing equipment and funds tosupport these efforts.

The PM stressed that it is necessary toreview relevant policies and laws, step up cooperation in this regard andincrease information dissemination in order to raise public awareness of thework.

It is estimated that more than 6.1million ha of land or 18.71 percent of Vietnam’s total area are contaminatedwith about 800,000 tonnes of bombs, mines and UXO left by wars, which arescattered over all 63 cities and provinces in the country, with the centralregion the hardest hit.

Between 1975 and now, bombs and mines killed more than 40,000 people andinjured 60,000 others, many of whom are family breadwinners and children.

Over 2,000 sappers died and got injured while searching for bombs and minesduring the period.

Vietnam decontaminated from40,000-50,000 ha of land each year. However, it will take more than a centuryto clear all bombs and mines in the country, with an estimated cost of over 10 billionUSD, excluding spending on resettlement and social welfare work in the dangerzones.-VNA