Thirty-three international NGOs are helping Vietnam overcome its war consequences. Participants in the third international conference on cooperation between Vietnam and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Hanoi on November 28-29, said that about 6.5 million ha on land in Vietnam are still contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO) /landmines. The country needs VND185,000 to clean up the explosives left over from the war. However, they said, most NGO-funded projects are focused on raising public awareness of the need to assist landmine victims. They proposed strengthening cooperation between NGOs and administrative committees at all levels to increase the effectiveness of landmine clearance projects. They also called for assistance from NGOs and other international donors. (vietnamplus.vn Nov 29)
