PM adopts UXO consequence action programme for 2023 to 2025

The programme aims to mobilise and use domestic and international resources to minimise the effects of UXO on the country's socio-economic development, thereby ensuring safety for citizens. It seeks to promote dissemination activities to raise people’s awareness of mine accidents and help UXO victims to reintegrate into the community, as well as its compliance with Vietnamese laws and international treaties and agreements that Vietnam has previously signed.

The scheme targets studying and perfecting an organisational structure system from the central to the local level in a bid to utilise domestic and international resources as it seeks to implement the national action programme on settling the consequences of wartime UXOs in Vietnam (Programme 504).

It seeks to upgrade at least five regional orthopedic and rehabilitation establishments and build at least 15 models of commune-level health stations to assist UXO victims, with priority given to heavily polluted areas. This is along with providing timely treatment for victims of UXO accidents whilst proactively supporting their sustainable livelihoods. The programme also looks to build a database to assist the victims.

The PM asked the Ministry of National Defence to co-ordinate efforts with other ministries, agencies, and localities in the implementation of the approved plan.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has been ordered to work with the Ministry of National Defence, the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) and relevant ministries, agencies, and localities in terms of negotiating and signing international co-operation documents and receiving resources for the implementation of the plan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will therefore collaborate with other ministries and localities in bringing contents of co-operation and assistance in overcoming post-war consequences of landmines and UXOs into the working programmes of Party and State leaders with relevant international organisations and regional forums.

The Ministry of Finance was requested to work alongside the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of National Defence in balancing and allocating the state budget in to implement the plan.

The Ministry of Information and Communications will therefore co-ordinate with the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, the Vietnam Journalists Association, the Ministry of National Defence, and relevant ministries and agencies to direct and provide accurate and timely information on the work.

The People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities have been requested to include post-war bomb and mine remediation activities into their local socio-economic development plans. They have also been assigned the task of speeding up the dissemination work to raise public awareness regarding mine accidents and supporting UXO victims in accordance with state regulations.