PANO – Wars have passed by for decades yet Vietnamese people have not yet enjoyed real peace. Every day, every hour, normal people face dangers of bombs, mines, explosives left by the wars (unexploded ordnance or UXOs).
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and the association's Executive Committee
Although the Vietnamese Government has been mobilizing efforts in dealing with the issue, the number of UXOs has still remained large. According to preliminary fact-finding surveys carried out by the Government and international organizations, there is still up to 800 tons of UXOs lying here and there across the country. Facts also show that all localities have more or less to face UXO contamination; a number of areas in the Center are considered “dead” land due to the high density of UXOs, although locals do not have enough land for agricultural cultivation; more than 100,000, including some 30,000 innocent children, were the victims of UXOs in the 1975-2000 period alone, and that number continues to rise. The situation has a negative effect on local socio-economic development, particular the national objectives of hunger elimination and poverty reduction, and threatens safety of people and public security, on the other hand.
Against this backdrop, several veterans, including military generals, had an idea of founding a social organization to speed up the process of clearing UXOs and support victims of UXOs. After one year and a half actively preparing legal documents and materials for the founding of such an organization, the old soldiers, who used to fight in the wars, have mobilized more than 200 volunteers, including veterans, scientists, businessmen and other people to gather in the first Congress.
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam addressing the event
During the congress, November 11 and 12, the Vietnam Association for Supporting UXO/Mine Action Efforts (VINASMA) was founded. The delegates also voted former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, Lieutenant General, famous pilot Nguyen Duc Soat as the President, 5 Vice Presidents, the Executive Committee, the Inspection Board and sub-Committees to run the association; approved the Charter, the core objectives and an action program for the first office term.
The event draw the participation of a number of governmental officials, high-ranking army officers, representatives of businesses, domestic and international organization.
Addressing the congress, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam underlined the importance of the foundation of the association. He urged the leadership to quickly perfect the organization of the association, expand its affiliates to other cities and provinces, and closely coordinate with the Government, other organizations in order to step up public information about the danger of UXOs, educate local people in UXO contaminated areas on the prevention of UXO accidents, provide more support for the UXOs clearing process and more assistance for UXOs victims.
Deputy Minister of National Defense, Head of the Standing Office of the Steering Board of the Programme 504, Colonel General Nguyen Chi Vinh
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Head of the Standing Office of the Steering Board of the National Action Program on overcoming the aftermath of UXOs left by the wars in Vietnam (known as Programme 504), Colonel General Nguyen Chi Vinh praised the elderly veterans, who had fought wars and end the wars in the past, for their continuous contribution to the nation. He believed that they with the noble virtues of the revolutionary soldiers would successfully fulfilled the association’s objectives. He also stressed that those who had directly and indirectly brought pains to the Vietnamese people, should responsible for clearing UXOs in Vietnam.
“The Government and Army has been doing its best to sap UOXs, returning land to farmers, over the past decades. We are thankful to several international organizations for joining our efforts. But governments of the countries that brought wars to Vietnam, and foreign manufacturers that made bombs and ammunitions used during the wars in Vietnam should hold responsibility for dealing with UXO contamination in the country. This is a common sense”.
Several representatives of international organizations attending the event shared the difficulties faced with the Vietnamese Government and people, expressed their concern about the UXO issue in Vietnam and confirmed that they would coordinate with VNASMA to best effectively support the UXO clearing mission and victims of UXOs in the country.
At the closing ceremony, delegates echoed the call of supporting UXO victims from the newly-voted President of the association by donating cash. The President said that the proceed will be sent to 2 children who are the most recent victims of UXOs in Central Vietnam.
Thu Nguyen
Đăng ký: VietNam News
