Casualties Overview

On the basis of incomplete data,[1] 42 new mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) casualties were identified in Vietnam in 2010. All casualties were civilian. Of the total, 27 casualties were adults, including two woman and 25 men. The 15 child casualties were all boys.[2] The 2010 total represented an increase from the 38 casualties reported in 2009.

At least 104,871 mine/ERW casualties, (38,908 killed; 65,963 injured) have been reported in Vietnam. It was reported that from 1975 to the end of 2007, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) recorded 104,701 mine/ERW casualties (38,849 killed; 65,852 injured).[3] The total number of casualties is not known due to the absence of a nationwide casualty data collection mechanism. The semi-governmental organization Project RENEW recorded 7,075 mine/ERW casualties (including 2,635 people killed) between 1975 and the end of 2010 in Quang Tri Province alone.[4]

At least 2,111 casualties from incidents involving cluster munition remnants were reported as of the end of 2010. However, one estimate put the likely total of such casualties as high as 34,000.[5] In many cases, the type of explosive remnants causing casualties could not be determined and all these were recorded as ERW casualties, although there were likely many among them caused by unexploded submunitions. [6] In addition, numerous casualties during cluster munition strikes have been reported.[7]

Victim Assistance

The total number of mine/ERW survivors is unknown, but has been estimated to be between 66,000 and 100,000.[8]

Assessing victim assistance needs

There was no national survey needs assessment for mine/ERW survivors in 2010. MoLISA is responsible for the management of information regarding persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW survivors. Information on the needs of mine/ERW survivors was collected through broader assessments of the needs of persons with disabilities. Various ministries, such as Education and Heath, also collect and manage information on persons with disabilities as part of their activities. This information was used to develop, adjust, or supplement policies and programs that support persons with disabilities, including survivors.[9]

Both domestic and international NGOs assessed the needs of the survivors for the implementation of projects and services. In 2010, the Association for Empowerment for Persons with Disability (AEPD) undertook a social survey on the current needs of survivors and persons with disabilities in Quang Binh province, focusing on economic inclusion needs and challenges.[10] In 2010 Project RENEW, in cooperation with Quang Tri Health Service, implemented an update of its 2006 survey on “A Study of Situation of Victims of Landmines/Unexploded Ordnance [UXO] and Knowledge-Attitudes-Practices-Beliefs of the People in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam,” to improve the effectiveness of mine action programs. The study provides the latest findings on circumstances faced by mine/cluster/UXO victims since 1975. The study’s findings were available through Project RENEW’s reporting. Project RENEW reported that in some cases it was difficult to reach survivors in remote rural areas.[11]

Victim assistance coordination in 2010[12]

MoLISA chaired the interministerial National Coordination Committee on Disabilities (NCCD), which also included NGO representatives. The Coordination Committee is responsible for the implementation of the National Action Plan for Supporting People with Disabilities (2006–2010). In 2010, the NCCD held quarterly disability planning and coordination meetings attended by representatives of MoLISA and related ministries and agencies. The meetings were focused on quarterly planning, implementation, and evaluation. In addition, NCCD organized four topical workshops: getting feedback from persons with disabilities; the labor market for persons with disability/survivors; an art and writing competition on occupations and persons with disability/survivors; and an exchange between survivors/persons with disability and donors. Overall, despite these high-level meetings, there was little regular victim assistance or disability planning and coordination due to a lack of involvement from agencies and ministries.[13]

The NCCD and its ministry members liaised with national and foreign organizations to provide protection, support, physical access, education, and employment to persons with disabilities, including survivors.[14]

Nongovernmental service providers shared experiences, technical expertise, and lessons learned on mine action, including victim assistance, through meetings of the Landmine Working Group. Landmine Working Group consists of national and international NGOs and other agencies working on mine action including victim assistance. In 2010, the Landmine Working Group organized two regular coordination meetings.[15]

Survivor inclusion

The inclusion of mine/ERW survivors and persons with disabilities or their representative organization in planning and provision of victim assistance increased in 2010. Survivors/persons with disability or their representative organizations were consulted in the planning or monitoring of programs and activities and in developing legislation. They also attended meetings, seminars, or workshops to contribute recommendations and share lessons learned.[16]

Survivors and other persons with disabilities did not have many opportunities to participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of plans. The Government requests MoLISA to develop plans and MoLISA officially consult ministries and departments. However, in some cases, the opinions and comments of survivors and other persons with disabilities or their representative organizations were taken into account, but not officially and there was no impetus to include them. Persons with disabilities and their representative organizations were consulted in the development or review of national programs, such as the national poverty reduction program, vocational laws, and various educational policies relevant to them.[17]

Many NGOs consulted survivors and other persons with disabilities on issues that related to their needs and adjusted their services in accordance with survivors’ recommendations. Survivors and persons with disabilities implement victim assistance activities with some NGOs. The NGO AEPD employed survivors as outreach workers.[18]

Service accessibility and effectiveness

Victim assistance activities in 2010[19]

In 2010, services for mine/ERW survivors improved in quality, quantity, and accessibility in Vietnam. The number of the survivors that received services by both government agencies and civil society organizations or NGOs gradually increased.[20] The provision of services to persons with disabilities more generally, although limited, improved during the year. [21]

To improve emergency medical response, the ICRC supported first-aid courses for community representatives and volunteers in Quang Tri province.[22]

There remained a significant need for employment and training opportunities for mine/ERW survivors and other people with disabilities. In particular, survivors sought stable employment, but lacked sustainable options for economic inclusion and mostly relied on irregular self-employment in agricultural work. In 2010, economic inclusion services for persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW survivors, increased. Among some 10,000 persons with disabilities who received vocational training, about half were female.[23]

In addition, international and domestic NGOs launched new initiatives to create work opportunities for survivors and other persons with disability through the establishment or expansion of small-scale businesses. In 2010, AEPD supported about 200 survivors and persons with disabilities in establishing small businesses. Project RENEW supported nearly 200 families of survivors and those people killed by mines/ERW through micro-credit and its mushroom farming economic inclusion program. The Blue Ribbon Employers Council, with more than 100 businesses as members, provided consultations and employment for persons with disabilities.[24]

Psychological support was not widely available and did not receive separate government resources although it was integrated in rehabilitation processes. Some domestic and international NGOs offered psychological support services. Social inclusion services for survivors and other persons with disabilities increased through both government and NGO programs with new resources allocated for social reintegration activities. More self-help clubs and sport groups were established in 2010, reaching 40 of 63 provinces. However, despite these improvements, a great need remained and the number of the survivors and persons with disabilities participating in cultural and sport activities remained very limited.[25]

The National Assembly of Vietnam enacted the first comprehensive national law providing for the rights of persons with disabilities in June 2010; it came into effect in January 2011. The Law on Disabled Persons prohibits discrimination against or maltreatment of persons with disabilities and also encourages the employment of persons with disabilities. The new law requires equality for people with disabilities through accommodation, access to education, employment, health care, rehabilitation, transportation, and vocational training.[26]

The Ministry of Transportation continued to implement accessibility codes for public transportation facilities and trained transportation agency officials and students on use of the codes. Construction or major renovation of new government and large public buildings must include access for persons with disabilities. The Ministry of Construction maintained enforcement units in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Quang Nam, and Ninh Binh to enforce the barrier-free codes.[27]

Vietnam signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 22 October 2007.