Vietnam, US well cooperate in treating dioxin polluted environment

The Office of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-War Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (namely 701) on November 6^th worked with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to review the cooperation between Vietnam and the US on the implementation of the project.

The Da Nang International Airport is one hot spot of dioxin pollution in Vietnam. Adopted on April 1^st, 2011 by the Ministry of National Defence, the project has been carried out with VND60 billion from the Government of Vietnam’s reciprocal capital, and non-refundable ODA funding worth USD110 million from the US Government.

Under the program, some 90,000 cubic metres of dioxin polluted mud and land have been treated; some 50,000 cubic metres of mud and land have been treated so that the level of dioxin is under the level that requires treatment; and 18.7 hectares of treated land have been transferred for expanding the Da Nang International Airport and serving Da Nang city’s socio-economic development.

According to experts, the project has successfully treated dioxin polluted land and sediment at the Da Nang International Airport, thus reducing the risk of dioxin explosion to humans and the surrounding environment.

They added that the project had brought efficiency in diverse areas, both communities’ health, environment and socio-economic development, while leaving diverse experiences in management, inspection, operation and application of technologies.

During the workshop, delegates appreciated the efforts of the Governments of Vietnam and the US in carrying out the project, which shows the US commitment on strictly working with Vietnam to provide a safe and dioxin free living environment for residents./.