(VOVworld) - Thousands of youngsters gathered at a ceremony in Quang Nam province on Tuesday to launch activities responding to International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
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| Delegates at the exhibition “Joining hands to overcome consequences of bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnance for a peaceful life” (Photo: Do Truong/VNA) |
Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh said war time Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) has killed more than 40,000 people and wounded 60,000 since the war ended in 1975.
“If each year we clear 30,000 hectares of land contaminated with bombs and mines, it will take 100 years to complete the work across the country. In a recent meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the government vowed to basically clear all bombs and mines in Vietnam in the next 20 years, especially in residential areas,” Mr. Vinh noted.
On this occasion, 30 gifts were presented to victims of post-war bombs and mines in Quang Nam.