ASEAN workshop held to support landmine victims

A national consultation conference to improve the effectiveness of supporting victims of landmines and explosives, leftover from war in ASEAN member countries, was held in Hà Nội yesterday.

It was jointly organised by the Việt Nam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC), the Ministry of National Defence and the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC).

“Việt Nam was one of the ASEAN member states (AMS) heavily affected by landmines and explosives left by war,” said Colonel Nguyễn Hạnh Phúc, Standing Deputy General Director of VNMAC.

“This not only poses a danger to people's lives but also negatively affects the country's socio-economic development.”

Speaking at the conference, Phúc said that activities supporting victims not only include the provision of medical assistance and rehabilitation, but also help them be proactive, confident, aware of society and participate in business and employment-seeking opportunities.

"This assistance requires the cooperation and comprehensive, long-term commitments from countries around the world, including in ASEAN, as well as affected or not-affected countries from the consequences of landmines due to war," he said.

The project "Enhance Victim Assistance Programme in the ASEAN Member States" was one of the solutions proposed by the ARMAC that will be implemented by ASEAN countries.

The project is funded by the Government of South Korea and the ASEAN-KOREA Cooperation Fund.

This conference is one of the project’s initial activities with the goal of establishing facilities to support landmine victims in the region.

Yesterday’s conference aims to assist AMS with knowledge sharing, supporting efforts to address the humanitarian aspects of landmines and explosive remnants of war and assess the needs of the victims.

Prum Suonpraseth, executive director of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre, expressed his gratitude to the VNMAC and its partners for co-hosting the event.

He said: “The ARMAC has been in operation for four years and has become a prestigious unit in the region in this field, not only making efforts to contribute to the development of ASEAN’S political-security community, but also to promoting cooperation in socio-economic issues through expanding partnerships, facilitating knowledge and initiatives- sharing.”