Quang Tri Pools Resources to Overcome Post-war UXO

The People’s Committee of central Quang Tri province announced on March 15 that it has approved a project on technical consultation, training and capacity building for the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the war. The project is funded by the U.S. Golden West Humanitarian Foundation (GWHF) at a total cost of nearly $95,000. It will equip two disposal teams, including 24 technicians, with necessary skills while helping the provincial Military Command establish technical teams to maintain training standards. Quang Tri also worked with foreign non-governmental organizations and the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) to launch the RENEW project to expand survey and clear UXO in Huong Hoa mountainous district. Between now and 2021, the UK’s Mines Advisory Group will offer additional 2.5 million USD to Quang Tri to clear the deadly war legacy in its sixth stage. Meanwhile, the NPA will provide over 395,000 GBP ($524,000) for the province to carry out the project “Restoring environment and overcoming war consequences – survey and clearance of explosives”. Quang Tri is the most severely contaminated by bombs and mines across the country which has killed over 3,400 and injured 5,100 others. In 1996, Quang Tri is the first province nationwide to launch an international cooperation project on overcoming the consequences of UXO. Over the past 23 years, Quang Tri has mobilised over $80 million from sponsors, domestic and foreign organizations to the effort. (VOV Mar 16)