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A deminer removes unexploded ordnance in Quang Tri province. |
MAG achieved a significant milestone in Vietnam last month, removing and destroying its 100,000th item of unexploded ordnance in Quang Tri province.
MAG started its Humanitarian Demining programme in Quang Tri in 1999 and has had a continued presence and commitment to removing explosive remnants war from a conflict dating back nearly 40 years.
Quang Tri province (shaded blue) |
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In addition to the 100,000 items of UXO, MAG has also removed 2,494 landmines.
Quang Tri is reported to be the province most heavily contaminated by unexploded ordnance.
Historical bombardment records reflect that each square metre of land in Quang Tri received 63kg of ordnance from both aerial and naval attack.
As a result of MAG’s work in Quang Tri, hundreds of thousands of people have benefited from being able to use land that is no longer contaminated with deadly explosive remnants of war.
One such example is in the commune of Hai Thai, where MAG’s clearance operations facilitated the development of a new primary school, providing education opportunities for more than 300 students. >>>
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Responding to the Tet Offensive legacyThe effects – 40 years on – of this key phase of the Vietnam war in Quang Binh and Quang Tri. |
MAG Vietnam’s Country Director Hannah Bryce said: “The removal of 100,000 items of UXO from Quang Tri is a proud day for MAG, our partners, the Quang Tri Department of Foreign Affairs, and our donors, who have supported us for nearly 12 years in Quang Tri province.
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Children playing outside Hai Thai commune primary school, which was able to be developed as a result of MAG's UXO clearance operations, providing educational opportunities for 300 students. [Photos: MAG Vietnam] |
"As many other countries also suffer throughout the world from the devastating effects of UXO and landmine contamination, reaching this milestone is a reminder that Vietnam continues to deal with the dangerous legacy that conflict leaves behind.
"With clearance of UXO, however, comes the opportunity for development and progress. MAG works with the people of Quang Tri province to ensure that the land MAG clears has the greatest impact on the people living and working there.”
MAG is also working in neighbouring Quang Binh province, where more than 60,000 items of UXO have been removed since 2003.
Our thanks to the following donors to MAG’s Vietnam operations: UKAid (UK Department for International Development / DFID); Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US
Department of State; Irish
Aid.
6 July 2011
• Reporting by Greg Secomb, Programme Officer, MAG Vietnam |
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