Minimizing Health Risk for over 2,000 People Living in POP Contaminated Areas

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and the UN Development Program (UNDP) shared this good news at the closing workshop of the project “Building Capacity to Eliminate POP Pesticide Stockpiles in Viet Nam”, which was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) via the UNDP.

Before 1990s, Viet Nam had used various types of chemicals as pesticides in agricultural development. Due to the limited awareness of the hazards and the lack of waste treatment technologies during that time, most of the obsolete POP pesticide were dumped in the ground or kept in old storage facilities without appropriate safety measures, resulting in high leakage risks. As of 2010, Viet Nam had more than 1,000 contaminated sites, of which almost 300 were obsolete POP pesticide stockpiles.

After five years of implementation, the Project has destroyed over 900 tons of POP pesticide and contained 5,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil in safe landfills.

In addition, the project has enhanced capacities in managing obsolete POP pesticide. In particular, the “Technical guideline on sustainably managing areas contaminated with obsolete POP pesticide”, including five phases, is developed by international experts based on international standards and appropriate adaptation for Viet Nam’s conditions. This important guideline is used as a training material for over 500 technical staff at the central and provincial levels on managing and treating POPs.

At the same time, the Project has actively supported the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Decision (No. 1946/QD-TTg dated 21 October 2010) on “Action plan on preventing and managing environmental pollution due to obsolete pesticides nationwide”.

At the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Van Tai, General Director of Viet Nam Environment Administration (NEA), said that the project had developed indicators to measure results, a new information technology integrated database, and international- standard approach to  managing contaminated areas using risk assessment method. “This is necessary capacity and basis for Viet Nam to continue treating POP pesticide contaminated areas in the future”, he said.

Mr Bakhodir Burkhanov, UNDP Deputy Country Director, attributed the success of the project to “exceptionally strong partnership” between MONRE, NEA, UNDP, UN Food and Agriculture Organization and partner agencies.

“It is important that we all continue to work together to help maintain the momentum created by the project and sustain the results it catalyzed,” he said. “Building on this project, UNDP is assisting MONRE in revising the National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention, and will also start a new project collaboration on sound management of harmful chemicals.”

According to Mr Burkhanov, 2015 marks 10 years of UNDP’s partnership with Viet Nam on the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. “UNDP is committed to working with the Government authorities, UN and development partners, businesses and local communities to minimize the hazards posed by chemical pollutants so all Vietnamese enjoy a clean and green environment now and for generations to come,” he said.

Taking part in the workshop were representatives from ministries and agencies at both central and provincial levels (including the Office of the Government, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Departments of Natural Resource and Environment of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Thai Nguyen provinces; international organizations; non-governmental organizations; as well as scientists and experts in managing and treating obsolete POP pesticide contaminated areas.

More information:

• Video: Bringing hope for people living in POP pesticides contaminated areas
• Remarks by Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, Deputy Country Director at the closing workshop of the Project “Building Capacity to Eliminate POP Pesticide Stockpiles in Viet Nam”

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Hoang Thanh Vinh, Project Manager: vinhtinh@gmail.com

Ms. Nguyen Viet Lan, UNDP Communications Officer, email: nguyen.viet.lan@undp.org