Certificate of Merit from the Government of Vietnam for excellence in mine action during the last 10 years
Norwegian People's Aid in Vietnam is very proud to be the only non-governmental organization to receive the Certificate of Merit from the Government of Vietnam for excellence in mine action during the last 10 years. NPA received this honor during the Vietnam national conference held on 17 February 2022, for review on the national mine action program 2010-2020 period and mission orientation for 2021-2025 period.
The conference was attended by the Vietnam Prime Minister, as Head of National Steering Committee for the settlement of post-war unexploded ordnance and toxic chemical consequences in Vietnam, leaders of several Ministries and provinces, representatives from many Embassies, international organizations and NGOs.
According to the report presented by the authorities at the conference, the explosive ordnance contaminated area in Vietnam has decreased by 1.11% during the last 10 years, thanks to the decade-long National Mine Action Program (Program 504) that received great international support. Vietnam has achieved important successes, including developing a national action plan, strengthening organizational structure and legal framework for the sector; enhancing survey and clearance; increasing the coordination of mine action activities; constantly building capacity in mine action including the operational national mine action database center and the quality management system according to the International Mine Action Standard; enhancement of explosive ordnance risk education and victim assistance.
For the period 2021-2025, Vietnam aims to focus on improving the organizational structure of national mine action authorities and legal framework, including development of national action plan 2025-2045 with vision to 2050; increasing international cooperation and mobilization of resources for addressing the war legacy; enhancing R&D activities and capacity development for national mine action database; drastically accelerating the survey and clearance as well as continuing on risk education and victim assistance.
“Landmines and explosive ordnances left by the war in Vietnam are a daily threat to the people of the country, causing many difficulties in production and life, hindering the normal development of the country,” Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the event.
The Vietnam Prime Minister also visited the exhibit displays, organized by VNMAC, provinces, international and non-governmental organizations. Following a brief from Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh, NPA Quang Tri Provincial Programme Manager, on NPA and mine action in Quang Tri, the Prime Minister encouraged Linh, as the representative of female deminers who are actively and bravely working hard in the field, joining the government efforts in addressing the war legacy and contributing to the socio-economic development.
The long-term country strategy for NPA in Vietnam from 2020 to 2025 aims to continue provide support to the Vietnamese government’s plans and priorities for addressing the massive remaining problems from explosive ordnance. We look forward to contribute to the Vietnam’s long-term action plans and NPA stand ready to provide assistance in provinces or on areas where the priorities are identified by the Vietnamese government.
NPA would like to thank the Governments of Norway, the United States and the United Kingdom for the fantastic funding support for our mine action work in Vietnam.
