Geographical Factors Hinder Vietnam Efforts in War-time Bomb, Mine Clearance

Vietnam is facing difficulties in detecting and disposing post-war bombs, mines and explosives for geographical factors while they remain an annual peril to many local residents, experts said. Most of the areas polluted by bombs and mines have complex terrain and geology, hydrology; explosives lie in various depths with many magnetized objects. The detection and disposal of post-war bombs and mines mainly uses personal equipment because the terrain is not appropriate to the mechanical method, which result in low efficiency. In addition, equipment for detecting and dealing with such bombs and mines is insufficient and ineffective. Although the war has gone by for tens of years, about 350,000 to 800,000 tons of bombs and mines remain in many places with hundreds of various types, accounting for over 20% of the area of the country. Bombs and mines still cause many difficulties for the production and life of residents, hindering the socioeconomic development. The remaining bombs and mines also cause deaths and losses to the residents and a burden to the society. Bombs and mines have claimed over 40,000 lives in Vietnam, including 30,000 children, and left 60,000 others injured over the past 37 years. In average, 1,535 people are killed and 2,272 were severely injured each year, according to inadequate statistics. Vietnam is in dire need of more support from the international community to cope with the consequences of post-war bombs and mines, experts said, adding that it needs over $10 billion and 300 years to clear up war-time bombs and mines. Under, a national action program for overcoming the aftermath of post-war bombs and mines by 2025, Vietnam targets to complete the survey and mapping of bomb and mine pollution nationwide; provide education on prevention of bomb and mine accidents for residents in high-risk areas. (news.gov.vn May 14)