A joint working program on bomb accident prevention and control from 2016 to 2020 was enacted on Jan 15 in Hanoi. The program was launched by the National Action Program to Tackle the Impact of Post-War Bombs and Mines from 2010 to 2025 (Program 504) with participation from the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. The program aims to inspire youth to help educate residents about the risk of bomb accidents and how to prevent them. It also calls upon international and domestic organizations and individuals to support the country in tackling the impact of post-war bombs and mines while also helping bomb victims re-integrate into their communities. Speaking at the signing ceremony, senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of Defense, said the program would uphold the youth's role in tackling the impact of post-war bombs and mines, which would in turn help to develop the country's socio-economy and protect the nation. Under the program, every April 4 – the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action - exhibitions, dialogues, conferences, drawing contests and writing contests will be organized. All of the activities will focus on bomb accident prevention and control. The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union will join hands with Program 504 to hold training for youth about the issue. In addition, Program 504 and the Ho Chi Minh Youth Union launched a pilot education campaign yesterday on bomb accident prevention and control. The pilot campaign will be held in March in the central province of Binh Dinh, one of the provinces with the highest number of post-war bombs and mines. Under the campaign, youth will be encouraged to instruct residents on how to prevent bomb accidents and how to give first aid to bomb victims. Parades and exhibitions on the topic of bomb and mine awareness will be organized. Dialogues between the provincial military steering committee, provincial police and local students will be organized. Local students will also join contests to study information about bombs and mines. (http://vietnamnews.vn/ [1] Jan 16)
