U.K. NGO Raises Awareness of UXO Risks for Vietnam Kids

Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a U.K. non-governmental organization, April 4 started a program to improve awareness of Vietnamese children about the impacts of bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left from wars. In response to International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (April 4), more than 500 students in Thang Binh district in the central province of Quang Nam were taught how to avoid and shown photos of bombs and mines. Students also learnt how to behave towards and help people with disabilities in a move to reduce accidents caused by such wartime explosives. About 600,000 tons of unexploded bombs and mines remain 20% of the country’s total area. More than 100,000 people have been killed or injured by such bombs and mines since 1975. Quang Nam province is one of the areas heavily contaminated with UXO and its UXO-related victims numbered 15,000, including 6,500 deaths. Since April, 2012, MAG has carried out activities to disarm bombs and mines, and has discovered 776 bomb and mine contaminated areas in Quang Nam so far. Recently, a Denmark-funded education project worth $98,700 to prevent accidents caused by bombs, mines and explosives has got underway in the province. (vietnamplus.vn April 4)