Vietnam to Release Map of Bomb, Mine Pollution in 2013

Vietnam will release a map of bomb and mine pollution this year to speed up the progress and raise efficiency of bomb and mine removal, said a representative of the Vietnam Bomb and Mine Action Center under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. The information was released at a recent seminar on overcoming the aftermath of wartime bombs, mines and unexploded explosives in Vietnam, co-held by the ministry, the International Center of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (IC-VVAF) and the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) in Hanoi. During the event, international sponsors and experts discussed ways and shared experiences with Vietnam in surmounting the consequences of such bombs, mines and explosives. The Ambassador highly valued Vietnam’s active participation in international activities in overcoming the aftermath of bombs, mines and explosives, affirming that GICHD will provide further support for the fight. At the event, a memorandum of understanding on overcoming bomb and mine consequences was signed by GICHD and the ministry. Thousands of unexploded bombs and grenades are still buried in the ground across Vietnam. Since the Vietnam War ended in 1975, more than 40,000 people have died of the leftover explosives. (Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army Mar 28)