Int’l Orgs Raise $65M Fund for Mine Action in Vietnam Quang Tri in 2016-2020

In 2016-2020, international organizations have raised a total fund of $65 million for 57 mine action programs and projects in Vietnam’s central Quang Tri province, local media reported. Mine action organizations have cleared and released nearly 97 million square meters of land, found and safely destroyed 142,018 items of explosive ordnance, and undertook close to 5,500 explosive ordnance disposal spot tasks. During the period, more than 565,000 children have approached explosive ordnance safety information, and 240 victims of bombs and mines have been supported with livelihood improvement and rehabilitation. Quang Tri is among the localities that suffered the most in the aftermath of the war, with 82% of the province’s total area getting contaminated with unexploded ordnance, which claimed lives of 3,430 residents and wounded 5,100 others. The province aims to be the first locality countrywide to be free from bombs and mines accidents in 2025, which may cost it $10 million-$12million per year. (Tin Tuc, Tin Tuc)