Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc laudedbomb and mine consequence recovery efforts over the past years while chairing a meeting ofthe National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-War UnexplodedOrdnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Steering Committee 701) in Hanoi onAugust 7.

It was the first meeting since the committee made debut inApril 2018.

In his speech, the PM said ministries, agencies, localitiesand socio-political organisations have devised their own action plans to dealwith bombs, mines and toxic chemicals, facilitated international cooperation,scientific research and technological development in the field, as well asprovided support for victims.

Describing bomb and mine recovery as an urgent task, theleader said the committee needs to fix existing shortcomings to protect the environmentand people’s health in service of socio-economic development, towards mitigatingpublic exposure to dioxin.

According to him, a roadmap is needed to devise a map of dioxin,bomb and mine contaminated hotspots in Vietnam, adding that the committeeshould consider amending policies on State allowances for those who joined resistancewars and became exposed to dioxin and chemical toxics and their children, andoffer better medical care to them.

Ministries, agencies and localities were urged to rallydomestic and foreign resources in the effort.

The PM said the implementation of a Vietnam – Hungaryproject on overcoming the aftermath of bombs and mines in Ha Giang, Lao Cai,Cao Bang, Quang Nam and Quang Tri provinces, which uses State budget andHungary’s official development assistance, is necessary.

He assigned the committee to collect feedback at the eventto refine the report, especially those regarding social and health care issuesfor Agent Orange/dioxin victims, international and technical cooperation,environment and projects jointly conducted by ministries and agencies.

Last year, the standing board of the committee worked withministries and agencies to build its operating regulation, offered advice toParty and State leaders about adding the settlement of post-war bombs and minesinto joint statements with the US,  Japan,Australia and Israel.

During the first stage of a project on outlining maps ofareas contaminated with bombs, mines and explosives, up to 9,116 areas werefound, accounting for 81.87 percent of the total. All communes and towns in 19provinces were affected, including Hai Duong, Quang Binh and Quang Tri.

Over 6.1 million ha of land are contaminated with bombs andmines while about 30,000 – 50,000ha are subject to bomb and mine clearance.

The Defence Ministry also partnered with the US Agency forInternational Development (USAID) to deal with dioxin at Da Nang international airport.The project has been basically completed with 160,000 sq.m of treated land meetingtechnical standards on environment.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs piloteda model to improve livelihoods of victims hurt by bombs and mines in severallocalities.-VNA