Quang Binh (VNA) – A meeting and a series of activities in response toInternational Mine Awareness Day (April 4) was held in Dong Hoi city, thecentral province of Quang Binh on March 24.

Vietnam isone of the countries hardest-hit by bombs, mines and explosives left over fromthe war. According to data, up to 6.1 million ha in the country arecontaminated by bombs and mines, accounting for 18.71 percent of the total. Post-warunexploded ordnances (UXO) are scattered in 63 cities and provinces, mostly inthe central region.

All wards,communes and districts in Quang Binh are contaminated by bombs and mines with atotal area of nearly 225,000ha. Over the past decade, 164 bomb and mineaccidents in the locality have killed 49 and injured 115 others. Thousands ofresidents have become disabled during their life due to limited awareness ofUXO.

Tran HuuThanh, deputy head of the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre’s planning andcoordination office, said response activities aim to call on socio-politicalorganisations, individuals at home and abroad to deal with the consequences ofpost-war bombs and mines.

A contest onbombs, mines and prevention and a parade along major streets in Dong Hoi citywere also held.

Inparticular, a painting contest, themed “For a safe community without bomb andmine accidents”, attracted 100 children aged 8-15.

In the nearfuture, educational campaigns to raise public awareness of bombs and minesprevention, especially among children, are also planned for.-VNA