KOICA Removes Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance from Area Equivalent to 21,000 Soccer Fields in Vietnam

April 4th 'International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action' Commemorated with Promotional Video
Since 2016, Integrated Response Capacity Building Project Implemented in Vietnam, Where 19% of Land is Contaminated by Mines and Unexploded Ordnance Due to War

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA announced on the 5th that it has completed landmine detection and removal operations over 15,000 hectares, equivalent to 21,000 soccer fields, in Vietnam.

Vietnam is estimated to have 19% of its territory contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance due to prolonged wars. As a result, casualties from explosions continue unabated.

Since 2016, KOICA has been conducting a $20 million “Integrated Capacity Building Project for Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance Response” in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC) to heal the remnants of the Vietnam War and ensure the safety and improve the living environment of residents in the heavily affected central region.

Now in its fifth year, this project has completed landmine detection over 15,000 hectares across 57 locations in Quang Binh and Binh Dinh provinces. Landmines and unexploded ordnance discovered during detection were immediately removed. Additionally, mine risk education was provided to approximately 77,500 local residents and students.

To provide continuous support for victims, a tripartite cooperative system was established under KOICA’s coordination among the Vietnam Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Vietnam Mine Action Center, and the UNDP. Based on data from a survey of about 80,000 victims conducted by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the first integrated information management system for landmine and unexploded ordnance victims was established.

Meanwhile, KOICA has held campaigns every year on April 4th, “Mine Awareness Day,” to raise social awareness and support for mine clearance activities. However, due to the global spread of COVID-19 this year, planned events such as photo exhibitions were canceled, and instead, videos highlighting the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance and the achievements of removal efforts were produced and shared with Vietnamese local media and social networking services (SNS).

Cho Han-duk, head of KOICA’s Vietnam office, emphasized, “The Integrated Capacity Building Project for Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance Response is an essential project to ensure the safe and peaceful lives of the Vietnamese people. On April 4th, we ask for attention to KOICA’s efforts to build peace in Vietnam, based on the core values of the 4Ps (People, Peace, Prosperity, Planet).”

Meanwhile, KOICA’s Integrated Capacity Building Project for Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance Response is the first bilateral government project related to landmines and unexploded ordnance, serving as a pioneering initiative to strengthen the Vietnamese government’s capacity for managing landmines and unexploded ordnance. It is recognized as a project that presents a new paradigm for landmine and unexploded ordnance initiatives in Vietnam by comprehensively supporting not only removal but also victim assistance, information management on distribution and status, and mine risk education, enabling the Vietnamese government to develop integrated response capabilities.