In a press release issued in Hanoi on April 4, UNICEF will help Vietnam promote information to raise public awareness about the dangers of landmines, as well as improving ability to deactivate UXO. These activities will be carried out in the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien – Hue.

UNICEF has carried out education courses on the dangers of landmine and UXO in Vietnam since 2002. It has coordinated with the Ministry of Education and Training to publish a handbook on casualty prevention and safety for primary school pupils.

Currently, it is estimated that around 350,000-800,000 tonnes of mines and UXO are buried in Vietnam, especially in the central and southern provinces. More than 38,800 people have been killed and more than 65,800 people injured by landmines since the war ended in 1975.

The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has declared April 4 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.