CPI Vietnam: 88 New Victims of Bombs, Landmines and other Munitions in 2006

More than three decades since the end of the war in Vietnam, accidents from landmines and unexploded bombs still injure and kill innocent civilians at an alarming rate.

 

As 2006 draws to a close, Clear Path International's office in Vietnam reports it provided support to 88 new victims of encounters with unexploded ordnance in seven central coast provinces north and south of the former Demilitarized Zone. Clear Path has posted an incident report brief to their blog at www.cpi.org/cpiblog.

 

"It should be made clear that this report is not representative of the country as a whole, and includes only accidents that were reported to our staff in the Central Vietnam region." stated Executive Director, Martha Hathaway "But these numbers should also make clear that the Vietnamese people are still, thirty years post conflict, suffering from explosive remnants of war with disturbing frequency."

 

As the report shows, nearly 40 percent, or two out of five, of the victims were children (under 18). Thirty-six victims died from their wounds, which were caused by landmines, cluster bombs, mortars, phosphorous grenades and other explosives still left over from the war.

 

Since 2000, Clear Path has provided medical, social and economic assistance to more 2,750 new and existing accident survivors and their families in central Vietnam. This year, it has been offered a matching challenge grant of up to $60,000 from the U.S. State Department.

 

Clear Path is still collecting donations to meet the State Department challenge focused specifically on its humanitarian mine action work in Vietnam.

 

Based in the Unites States, Clear Path International assists landmine accident survivors in Vietnam, Cambodia and along the Thai-Burma border. It also sends shipments of medical equipment, orthopedic devices and surgical supplies to hospitals in mine-affected countries around the world. Learn more about Clear Path International at www.cpi.org.