The programme continued to reduce the threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO) to vulnerable communities in Vietnam by implementing humanitarian mine action in Quang Binh and Quang Tri Provinces.

- 9 Mine Action Teams (MATs), supported by 2 Community Liaison (CL) Teams

- Teams cleared 24,668 sq/m of land using manual electronic and visual search techniques, removing 46 items of UXO

- Teams also visited 3,354 houses, searching 4,496 sq/m, performing 667 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tasks, and removing 812 items of UXO.

- Community Liaison teams conducted 15 community/partner meetings; visiting 18 villages, conducting 766 house to house surveys; documenting 126 mine/UXO reports; generating 2 post clearance impact reports; and produced 20 case studies.

- Continued focus on Quality Assurance, training and standardisation ensured the continued improvement of effectiveness and efficiency within the programme.

SUMMARY OF IMPACT

- Creating a more secure environment for the Vietnamese people by reducing risk to life and limb

- Building safer communities and working to improve the futures of people affected by the explosive remnants of conflict

- Creating poverty alleviation opportunities by freeing up land that can be used for sustainable livelihood generation and infrastructure projects

- Contributing to economic growth and stability by creating safer environments for communities and increasing economic independence for families working in farming, herding or scrap collecting

For more information on this or any other of MAG's programme across the world please visit www.mag.org.uk or contact:

Jimmy Roodt, Country Programme Manager, MAG Vietnam, INGO Box 76, Hanoi, Vietnam. Mobile: +84 913 485 408; email: mag-cpm@vnn.vn

Lauren Cobham, Regional Desk Officer, MAG, 47 Newton Street, Manchester, UK, M1 1FT. Tel: +44 (0)161 236 4311; email: Lauren.Cobham@mag.org.uk