Unexploded ordnance detected
Photo: Courtesy of Germany Embassy

Germany will provide US$1.3 million in 2013 for the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left by the American war in the central region of Vietnam, marking the 15th consecutive year that Germany has given aid in the field.

The project in 2013 will focus on the provinces of Quang Tri, Quang Binh, and Thua Thien - Hue, the areas believed to have largest volumes of bombs, mines and explosives left after the war.

The task will be carried out through the cooperation of SODI of Germany and the Vietnam Army and local authorities.

In 2012, almost 19,300 explosive objects were detected and removed in the region, returning almost 275 hectares of land to normal cultivation and residency. On average, 20,000 hectares of land across Vietnam are cleared of UXO a year, yet a lot of work remains before all of the contaminated land can be declared safe.

Germany has provided Vietnam with $13.7 million for the clearance of UXO since 1998.

During America’s war in Vietnam, the US Army discharged more than 15 million tons of bombs, landmines and other explosive materials in the country. Around 800,000 tons of UXO were left behind when the war ended in 1975.

Today, 38 years since the end of hostilities, bombs and mines still take a heavy toll on human life. To date, over 100,000 people in Vietnam have fallen victim to UXO, of which 42,000 have died.

Minh Phát

Source: tuoitrenews.vn