Vietnam will need an estimated VND14 trillion ($700 million) for removing post-war bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) until 2015, said Bui Hong Linh, deputy minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).In 2000-2008, the country only cleared more than 100,000 hectares of bomb-polluted land, which make up 3.28% of the country’s total contaminated land area, Mr. Linh added.Meanwhile, bomb-polluted lands account for more than 20% of Vietnam’s total land area, causing difficulties in agricultural production as well as affecting the country’s socioeconomic development.In fact, 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.Vietnam is facing difficulties in detecting and disposing post-war bombs, mines and explosives, experts said, adding that most of the areas polluted by bombs and mines have complex terrain and geology, hydrology; explosives lie in various depths with many magnetized objects.Vietnam is in dire need of more support from the international community to cope with the consequences of post-war bombs and mines, which is estimated to cost the country $80 million-$100 million each year.Apart from key donors such as the UNDP, UNICEF, Japan and the U.S., Vietnam expects to receive more aid from others, namely the U.K., Norway and Ireland. (Thoi Bao Tai Chinh Dec 24 p7)
