Introduction
MAG first began operating in Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam, in 1999. This province encompasses the former DMZ (Demilitarised Zone), which divided Vietnam during the war. MAG’s operations were expanded in early 2003 to the adjacent province of Quang Binh.
As one of the largest non-military clearance organisations operating in Vietnam, MAG plays a key role in reducing the risk from landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and enabling post-clearance development.
UXO and landmines can explode if disturbed, causing injury and death. A survey of six central provinces by the Technology Center for Bomb and Mine Disposal (BOMICEN) recorded 926 casualties between 2003 and 2008, almost half of whom were killed. According to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, almost 105,000 casualties were recorded nationally between 1975 and the end of 2007.
According to the 2008 Landmine Monitor Report, all casualties were civilians and most accidents occur whilst conducting livelihood activities, collecting scrap metal, or playing/tampering with UXO.
How we work
Much of MAG’s work involves mobile Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operations, whereby teams systematically work through every village in a commune, clearing all known items of UXO and suspect areas.
Since operations commenced in 1999, MAG has conducted mobile clearance operations in more than 1,300 villages, cleared more than seven million square metres of land for agriculture and community development and removed and destroyed close to 150,000 landmines and items of UXO.
Small, prioritized areas for resettlement or community development are cleared at the request of local communities and authorities. MAG Vietnam also responds to emergency EOD requests. Our work is closely linked to the development plans of the provinces, districts and communities in which we operate.
Where our teams work alongside other development organisations, we provide clearance support and advice to ensure that the development of communities is not hindered by the threat of UXO. MAG’s current operational capacity in Vietnam consists of three teams in Quang Tri Province and four teams in Quang Binh Province, along with four Community Liaison teams.
 |
|
Sandbags are laid around submunitions in preparation for demolition, in Tien Thiep Village, Quang Binh. Top: MAG Community Liaison staff collect data in Vin Thuy Village, Quang Binh. |
Partnerships and coordination
MAG Vietnam is committed to working in partnership with government authorities (at both national and local level), NGOs, and other agencies. All projects to date have either been in partnership with the local authorities or with development organisations.
MAG is a regular participant in the Landmine Working Group, a forum for NGOs, UN agencies and other organisations concerned with the mine/UXO issue in Vietnam.
MAG works with poverty reduction organisations such as Canadian Hunger Foundation (CHF) in order to ensure that MAG Vietnam's clearance work is directly linked to the Millennium Development Goal of poverty reduction. Following MAG’s clearance, CHF implements sustainable livelihood strategies that are decided on during consultative meetings with beneficiaries. Such partnerships ensure that land cleared by MAG is used in the most productive and sustainable way, while meeting the needs of the local population.
Beneficiaries
Key beneficiaries of MAG Vietnam include vulnerable families requiring land for resettlement and agriculture, and communities benefiting from social development projects and the removal of all known UXO from their local environment.
Donor partnership opportunities
MAG wishes to sustain current operations and extend into additional provinces. This will be carried out with the full support of the relevant national and provincial authorities, and will be coordinated through the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM).
MAG would like to express its thanks to the following current and recent donors to its Vietnam operations: Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Department for International Development (DFID), Talisman Energy, Irish Aid, Jersey Overseas Aid, Adopt-A-Minefield, and Imperial Tobacco.
November 2009
