Vietnam and the US began to clean up Agent Orange in Da Nang

The Ministry of Defense yesterday began to work on unexploded bombs and mines, the first step in a coordinated process between Vietnam and the US to remove Agent Orange / dioxin from Danang hot spots.

Unexploded ordnance clearance is one of the activities funded by the Ministry and carried out as part of Vietnam's contribution in the remediation of dioxin consequences. This is the first step in the project implemented by the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to clean up dioxin contaminated soil and sand at locations near the airport.

Da Nang Airport is one of three Agent Orange / dioxin hotspots in Vietnam. According to a study by a Canadian company, dioxin contamination at some points in this area is hundreds of times higher than the international level allowed.

Major General Do Minh Tuan, deputy commander of the air defense - air force, the unit assigned to clear the mine, said: ' Successful implementation of this project will remove dioxin for 29 hectares of land for use. for economic and commercial activities, and reduce the risk of human exposure to toxic chemicals as well as other potential health effects ".

A soldier in the mine clearance team is present in the campaign today.
Photo: Richard Nyberg, USAID.

US Interim Agent Virginia Palmer commented that the Ministry of Defense's unexploded ordnance is an excellent example of a strong partnership that the two governments have built from the project to overcome the consequences of dioxin. The announcement of the US Embassy in Hanoi said.

" As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during her visit to Vietnam last October, dioxin existed as " a legacy of the traumatic past that we all experienced ", but this project is a sign of similarity. hopeful hybrids we're building together , "said Mrs Palmer.

The two governments of Vietnam and the US have been working together since 2001 to address environmental and health issues related to dioxin contamination derived from Agent Orange.

Since 2007, the US government has spent nearly 42 million USD on activities to improve the environment, health, and help people with disabilities in Da Nang, in addition to other programs implemented throughout Vietnam. The US government also provided tens of millions of dollars for mine clearance and support for mine / UXO survivors.

During the Vietnam War, the US military released more than 70 million liters of herbicide, including dioxin-containing substances to central and southern Vietnam. Dioxin is thought to be related to a variety of human diseases and malformations. Vietnam estimates that 3 million people are affected by dioxin exposure.

Currently in Vietnam there are three conclusions that are "hot" about dioxin, including the former US air force once stored the herbicide in Da Nang, Bien Hoa of Dong Nai and Phu Cat provinces in Binh Dinh province. .

The US Congress has allocated a total of 9 million USD for the remaining Agent Orange detoxification projects in hot spots in Vietnam. Last year, a Vietnamese-American mixed research group published a report, claiming that $ 300 million is needed to clean up and support Agent Orange / dioxin victims in Vietnam. Accordingly, this amount will be used for a 10-year program.