(VOVWORLD) - Measures to deal with post-war unexploded ordnance (UXO) and toxic chemicals in Vietnam were discussed at a dialogue held by the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-war UXO and Toxic Chemical Consequences on Wednesday.
 Deputy Minister of Defense Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vịnh, 2nd right, at the conference (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA) |
According to the Ministry of National Defense, 800,000 tons of unexploded bombs and mines left over from the war remain scattered over 6 million hectares - 19 percent of Vietnam’s territory. Between 1961 and 1971, the US sprayed 80 million liters of toxic chemicals on 3 million hectares of Vietnamese land, leaving 4.8 million Vietnamese affected.
Each year, the Vietnamese government spends millions of USD to clear UXO, detoxify hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of toxic soil, and and stabilize the lives of the victims.
Nguyen Van Hoi, General Director of the Department of Social Assistance of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said: “We will focus on improving laws and policies on disabled war invalids and beneficiaries to increase support for them. We will also enhance cooperation with international organizations on projects to help UXO victims.”