Marking 20 years of MAG in Vietnam

Between 1955 and 1975, 15 million tons of bombs were dropped on Vietnam, three times the amount used during the Second World War. Ten percent of the weapons did not detonate and nearly a quarter of the country was left contaminated, making it the most contaminated country in the world for unexploded bombs. Since the end of the war, there have been more than 104,000 casualties involving unexploded bombs and munitions, the majority of which are children. 

For the last 20 years, MAG teams have worked tirelessly to remove the threat of these lethal items and teach people about the risks of living in their presence.

In June of 1999, MAG arrived in Vietnam and established its first office in the central province of Quang Tri, one of the most heavily affected regions. Quang Tri suffered severe bombardment during the war within the former demilitarized zone that separated North and South Vietnam. Now, the presence of unexploded bombs continues to force thousands of Vietnamese people to risk their lives on a daily basis and live in fear. The contamination has blocked safe access to the land, which is desperately needed for agriculture and infrastructure, particularly in the central provinces where up to 80 percent of people are farmers. 

The MAG Vietnam team started with 25 deminers, 14 field workers, and six support staff that year. 

After 20 years, MAG has become the largest civilian mine action organization in the country, with more than 700 national staff and six international experts. So far, our teams have cleared more than 110 million square meters of land in Vietnam, giving it back to the community so that it can be put to use. MAG has also generated thousands of jobs for local communities, with many staff having worked for MAG since the program began 20 years ago. MAG has also been awarded multiple times by the Vietnamese Government for its contributions to the sustainable development of the country.

Our work will continue in Vietnam until the 95 million people forced to live with the threat of landmines and unexploded bombs can live, work, and play without fear.