Partners in safety: Mr. Tran Van Nam (left) guides NPA/RENEW EOD team member Nguyen Duc Hoa to a discovery site in Xuan Hoa Village.

GIO LINH — On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the NPA/RENEW EOD team successfully conducted five consecutive emergency tasks in Gio Linh Commune. The operations resulted in the recovery of six items of unexploded ordnance (UXO), showcasing a vital shift in community behavior from risk-taking to proactive reporting.

A Lesson in Safety: The Power of Education

This 60mm mortar was found and marked by a 10th-grade student. Reporting such items is crucial in preventing accidents.

Among the morning’s urgent callouts, a discovery in Xuan Hoa Village highlighted the life-saving impact of Mine Risk Education (MRE). A 10th-grade student spotted a suspicious object in a barren garden near his home while on his way to school. Applying his safety training, the student used an old helmet to clearly mark the location, informed his parents, and used his mobile phone to call the provincial hotline managed by the Quang Tri Mine Action Center (QTMAC).

Because the student had marked the spot so effectively, the NPA/RENEW EOD team was able to locate the item quickly upon arrival. The team was met by the student’s father, Mr. Tran Van Nam (born 1985), who guided the technicians to the marked spot where a 60mm mortar was recovered. Mr. Nam then led the team to a second location near a village fish pond, where an additional 81mm mortar was found. Both items were secured for safe disposal.

Context: Breaking the Cycle of High-Risk Behavior

The student’s decision to mark and report represents a crucial change in community behavior. Data from QTMAC regarding the former Quang Tri Province (prior to its administrative merger with Quang Binh) underscores the gravity of the risks still present. Between 2022 and 2024, five male residents—aged 15, 34, 43, 44, and 50—fell victim to UXO accidents.

Tragically, three of these accidents were fatal. Data shows that in four out of these five cases, the victims had deliberately touched or attempted to dismantle the ordnance while foraging or digging. Notably, the youngest victim in these records was 15 years old—the same age as the student who safely reported the ordnance in Xuan Hoa. This contrast proves that MRE is successfully turning potential victims into community lifesavers and serving as a vital early warning system for the QTMAC-coordinated network.

This life-saving behavior is the result of a long-standing commitment to safety in the province. Since 2015, the Government of Ireland has provided sustained funding for Project RENEW’s MRE programs. This decade of support has ensured that an entire generation of children—like Mr. Nam’s son—has grown up with the knowledge and skills to stay safe in an environment still impacted by war legacies.

Chronology of a Busy Morning: Safeguarding Homes and Livelihoods

The NPA/RENEW EOD team’s high-activity day actually began earlier that morning in Long Hai Village. Following a hotline report, the team first met 21-year-old Le Hoang Khanh, who discovered two massive 155mm High Explosive (HE) artillery shells while clearing his family’s back garden. With his parents working in another province, Khanh took the initiative to ensure his home was safe by calling for professional help.

High-explosive threat: Team Leader Hoang Kim Chien inspects two massive 155mm artillery shells found in a residential garden in Long Hai Village.

Following the tasks at Mr. Nam’s house in Xuan Hoa, the team responded to two more reports:

• Construction Safety: Also in Xuan Hoa Village, Mr. Le Anh Quoc discovered a 105mm artillery shell lying immediately adjacent to a busy village road while clearing land for a new building. He approached the EOD team directly in the field to report the finding.

• Livelihood Support: In Truc Lam Village, Mr. Tran Xuan Hieu discovered a 60mm mortar shell exposed in the mud while draining a fish pond for a new crop. The team’s rapid response allowed Mr. Hieu to continue his work safely.

By midday, all six explosive items had been successfully recovered and transported to the central demolition site for safe disposal. The partnership between vigilant residents, QTMAC coordination, and the NPA/RENEW EOD team remains the foundation of a safer future for the people of Gio Linh.

We sincerely thank the Government of the United States 🇺🇸 through the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, the Government of Norway 🇳🇴, and the Government of Ireland 🇮🇪 through the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam for their valuable support to our meaningful humanitarian mission in Vietnam 🇻🇳.

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Nguyen Thanh Hao, a 1984 ERW survivor and Deputy Director of the Gio Linh Center, begins his first day with modern technology. For over a decade, Hao relied on a computer that had become an obstacle to his mission of service.

GIO LINH, QUANG TRI – In the golden rice fields of Cam Pho Village, the year 1984 was supposed to be a time of celebration and harvest. For Nguyen Thanh Hao, then 19 years old and a fresh high school graduate, it was a day of helping his parents prepare for the upcoming harvest. But the “quiet war” hidden beneath the soil had other plans. An explosion of explosive remnants of war (ERW) tore through the field, and in an instant, Hao lost both of his hands.

Today, 42 years after that life-altering moment, Hao is no longer a victim, but a leader. As the Deputy Director of the Gio Linh Daycare and Rehabilitation Center for Children with Disabilities, he has dedicated his life to ensuring that the next generation of children affected by disability receives the care and dignity they deserve.

The Gio Linh Center: A Sanctuary Supported by Partnership

The Gio Linh Center has been a cornerstone of Project RENEW’s mission since January 2022, made possible through the generous funding of the Irish Embassy in Vietnam. This support provides a lifeline for 15 children with severe mental and physical disabilities, covering subsistence costs, caregiving staff, and essential daily equipment.

However, the shadow of the past remains long in Gio Linh Commune. While the Center provides high-quality care for 15 children, nearly 60 other children in the surrounding area suffer from severe disabilities and remain on a waiting list due to the facility’s limited capacity. For a leader like Mr. Hao, efficiency in administration is vital to managing these limited resources.

The Power of Observation

The FAOV delegation visited RENEW on February 6, 2026. This visit by long-time partners was the catalyst for providing Hao with the modern tools he needs to lead the Center.

On February 6, 2026, a delegation from Friends of Agent Orange Victims (FAOV) visited the Center. Among them were Ms. Nguyen Minh Ha (Director), Mr. Ngo Huy Liem (Advisory Board), and Ms. Minh Loan.

It was during this visit that Ms. Loan noticed a significant hurdle: Hao was managing the Center’s complex coordination, donor reporting, and child records on a computer that was over 15 years old. Having used the same aging Windows and Office setup for over a decade, the machine had become a bottleneck for Hao, who has spent years perfecting a specialized way of typing and navigating technology without hands. Moved by Hao’s four decades of dedication, Ms. Loan decided to provide a personal gift: a brand-new Lenovo laptop.

Bridging the Digital Divide

To ensure the transition to modern technology was seamless, the handover took place on February 25 at a local electronics shop. A specialized technician spent 45 minutes with Hao, providing a “technical grand tour” of the new Windows 11 system. This patient orientation was crucial to ensure Hao felt empowered by the new interface rather than overwhelmed by the change from his 15-year-old setup.

Bridging the digital divide: A 45-minute orientation session was essential to ensure a smooth transition from Hao’s 15-year-old operating system to modern Windows 11 and Microsoft Office.

This patient orientation was crucial to ensure Hao felt empowered by the new interface rather than overwhelmed by it. “I am glad that I can help Mr. Hao in his work,” Ms. Loan shared. “I hope the new laptop will make his job easier and more efficient. Thank you for giving me a chance to help.”

A Legacy Continued

This act of kindness reflects the enduring vision of Dick Hughes, the founder of FAOV and a dedicated partner of Project RENEW since 2013. It serves as a perfect complement to the foundational support provided by the Irish Embassy, demonstrating how international cooperation—from national embassies to individual acts of compassion—can empower those on the front lines of service.

As Mr. Hao sits at his desk today in the Gio Linh Center, his hands may be gone, but his ability to lead, document, and advocate for the children of his commune is stronger than ever—powered by a tool that finally matches his resilient spirit.

Back at his desk: Forty-two years after his accident in the rice fields of Cam Pho, Nguyen Thanh Hao is empowered by technology to continue his mission of service for the next generation.

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Nam Dong Ha, Quang Tri (29 January 2026) – To maintain the province’s historic milestone of zero UXO accidents in 2025, the Project RENEW Mine Action Visitor Center today welcomed 30 students from Cam Thuy Primary School (Hieu Giang Commune) for a specialized Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) session.

While Quang Tri has made significant strides in landmine clearance, education remains the first line of defense. According to statistics from the Quang Tri Mine Action Center (QTMAC), children under the age of 16 have historically accounted for 31% of total post-war casualties in the province.

During the session, students learned to identify hazards and practiced the life-saving protocol: “Don’t touch, stay away, and report to an adult.”

Emphasizing the impact of the visit, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phu, Manager of the Mine Action Visitor Center and Officer in charge of the EORE program, stated:

“Education is our most sustainable clearance tool. By teaching these 30 students from Hieu Giang Commune today, we are ensuring that the children of Quang Tri are not just survivors of the past, but guardians of a safer future.”

This activity is a key component of the EORE program managed by the RENEW Center for Rehabilitation and Disability Support (RENEW Center). This vital work is made possible through the generous and sustained funding provided by the Government of Ireland through the Irish Embassy in Vietnam.

The partnership between the Government of Ireland and Project RENEW ensures that the younger generation in high-risk areas is empowered with the knowledge to stay safe until the land is fully cleared.

A safe start to 2026: The NPA/RENEW EOD team successfully destroys six dangerous explosives in a controlled demolition in Cua Viet Commune.

QUANG TRI, VIETNAM (January 9, 2026) – The new year has begun with a heartening display of community cooperation and rapid action in Quang Tri Province. On Monday, January 5th—the first working day of 2026 following the holiday break—the NPA/RENEW Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team returned to the field and successfully responded to five separate requests for help, safely removing dangerous explosives found in the middle of busy residential areas.

Neighbors Looking Out for Neighbors

The busy start to the year was driven by the high level of awareness among local residents in Gio Linh, Ben Quan, and Cua Viet. These families know that even decades after the war, the ground can still hold dangerous secrets. By early Monday afternoon, five different neighborhoods were already being made safe thanks to quick-thinking citizens who called the NPA/RENEW EOD team as soon as they spotted a threat.

Local Heroes: Captain Xuân and Mr. Thắng

At the heart of Monday’s success were stories of everyday people taking action to protect their communities.

In Lan Dinh Village, Captain Lê Viết Xuân of the local Public Security force showed how vital local leadership is to the mission. After being alerted by villagers to a suspicious object in a garden, Captain Xuan didn’t hesitate. He called the hotline and stayed on-site to lead the NPA/RENEW EOD team directly to the danger, ensuring the rusted shell was handled before anyone could get hurt.

Captain Le Viet Xuan of the Gio Linh Public Security force (right) briefs Team Leader Hoang Kim Chien on the location of a rusted shell found in a local garden.

A few miles away in Ha Thanh Village, Mr. Trần Ngọc Thắng, a local bricklayer, was at work with his team renovating a village graveyard when they unearthed another large explosive. Recognizing the danger immediately, Mr. Thắng stopped work and called for assistance. His prompt report ensured that a place of rest and reflection for the village remained safe for all visitors.

Local bricklayer Trần Ngọc Thắng explains how his team discovered a large explosive while renovating a village graveyard in Ha Thanh Village.

Making the Land Safe

By the end of this first day back in the field, the NPA/RENEW EOD team had safely recovered and removed six dangerous explosives, including various artillery shells and mortar rounds. These items were found in the very places where people live and work—in backyard gardens, along village roads, and in public spaces.

The day concluded with the team safely destroying all the recovered items at a designated site in Cua Viet. This final act ensured that these remnants of the past will never again pose a threat to the children and families of Quang Tri.

A Comprehensive Partnership for Safety

These rapid-response successes are the result of a holistic approach to mine action, made possible through a strong partnership between local teams and international supporters.

We sincerely thank the Government of the United States (through the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi) and the Government of Norway for their continued support of the technical EOD operations that safely remove and destroy these items.

Equally vital to this process is the alertness of the community. The high level of awareness shown by citizens like Captain Xuan and Mr. Thắng is nurtured through the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education program of RENEW, supported by the Government of Ireland (through the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam). Ireland’s commitment also extends to victim assistance and support for persons with disabilities, ensuring a safer and more inclusive future for the people of Quang Tri.

This collective commitment from our donors ensures that as the people of Quang Tri build their futures, they can do so with the confidence that their land is safe and their community is protected.

As we move into 2026, the message to every household remains the same: If you see something suspicious, stay away, do not touch it, and call the hotline immediately. Together, we keep our community safe.

📞 UXO Hotline (Quang Tri): 0901 941 941

(Hanoi, Vietnam) – On Friday, January 9, Project RENEW will join author and former diplomat Thomas Bo Pedersen for the launch of the Vietnamese edition of his political thriller, “Những Bóng Ma Trở Lại” (The Ghosts Return).

Mr. Pedersen has generously dedicated this event to supporting Project RENEW’s humanitarian work in Quang Tri Province.

The event, organized by Book Hunter, will feature a discussion between the author and translator Hà Thủy Nguyên on the “ghosts” of history and moral debts. Project RENEW representatives Chuck Searcy and Ngo Xuan Hien will join as guests to discuss the real-world efforts of clearing UXO and healing the land.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, January 9, 2026

• Time: 16:00 – 18:00

• Location: Writers’ Association Publishing House, 65 Nguyen Du, Hanoi

• Registration: [Register via Book Hunter Form] 

All donations at the event will go directly to Project RENEW in support of our humanitarian work in Quang Tri Province.

QUANG TRI PROVINCE – For the past 12 years, the phrase “Unlimited Possibilities” has meant more than just a name to the people of Quang Tri; it has meant roofs for the elderly, cows for farmers, and now, brighter homes for the blind and disabled.

From December 16–18, 2025, long-time supporters Bill Cuff, Joyce Cuff, and Ed Bernazzani returned to the province to mark the 12th anniversary of the Unlimited Possibilities (UP) partnership with Project RENEW. First established in January 2013, this partnership has evolved into a deep connection between the American donors and the local community.

The three-day mission this December focused on improving infrastructure for the most vulnerable, starting in the city and ending in the rural countryside.

Day 1: Sweat Equity in Dong Ha

The mission kicked off on Tuesday, December 16, at the Dong Ha Charity Cooperative for the Blind. Here, visually impaired residents work with dignity, producing toothpicks, incense, and brooms to earn a livelihood.

To improve their work environment, Bill, Joyce, and Ed spent the entire day painting the walls of the production workshop.

Rolling up their sleeves: The team revitalizes the workshop at the Blind Cooperative with a fresh coat of green paint.

The group worked with such focus—determined to finish the job for the blind workers—that they worked straight through, delaying lunch until late afternoon. The result is a clean, revitalized workspace that boosts morale for the cooperative members.

Day 2: Better Care Conditions in Gio Linh

On Wednesday, the group traveled north to the Gio Linh Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled. To assist the staff in providing better care, the donors helped install new plastic wall partitions.

Precision work: UP members assist a local worker in measuring and cutting the clean white plastic panels.

These upgrades provide better insulation and a more hygienic environment for the children undergoing rehabilitation. The group was welcomed by the center’s leadership, including Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hao, the Center Vice Director.

Partners in progress: (L-R) Joyce, Bill, Center Manager Mr. Hao, and Ed stand together in front of the newly completed walls. Mr. Hao, who lost both arms in a UXO accident in 1984, continues to serve the community by managing this vital facility for children.

Day 3: Shelter and Smiles in Nam Hai Lang

The trip concluded on Thursday with a critical construction project in Dong Son Village of Nam Hai Lang Commune. The team visited Ms. Le Thi Men and her mother, Ms. Truong Thi Thu. Both women are blind and had been living under a deteriorated back roof that leaked severely during the rainy season.

UP members carry the new, long green roofing sheets to replace the deteriorated back roof for the family.

The team worked to remove the old structure and install a sturdy new roof to ensure the women have a dry, safe home for the coming winter. The mission ended not just with a completed roof, but with a touching moment of connection between the donors and the family.

A moment of shared joy: The UP team, Project RENEW staff, and local Blind Center representative celebrate with Ms. Men and her 86-year-old mother, Ms. Thu (center), who can now look forward to a warm, dry winter.

A Legacy of Support

This trip adds another chapter to a history of service that dates back to 2013. Veterans of the group recall the 2016 mission, where the team helped build cowsheds for ethnic minority families near Khe Sanh.

Chuck Searcy, Co-founder of Project RENEW and In-country Representative of Friends of Project RENEW, met with the group to express his gratitude for their sustained commitment.

“You have been here for the long haul and we appreciate it so much,” Searcy told the group. “On behalf of the beneficiaries—who are the ones who actually benefit from the work—every bit helps. And we are so grateful.”

Bill Cuff, the group leader who has taken part in three working trips to Vietnam through Project RENEW, responded to Searcy’s sentiment with deep appreciation for the organization’s leadership.

“I’ve met you twice in my life and we can’t think of a more deserving person nor a more deserving organization to get this pattern recognition,” Cuff said. “If the world is full of social justice warriors like you…”

Craige Edgerton (second from left) and members of the Veterans For Peace (VFP) Chapter 160 delegation listen to the family’s story in Gio Linh. Photo: Linh Pham / DER SPIEGEL

In October 2024, Project RENEW welcomed the Veterans For Peace (VFP) Chapter 160 tour group to Quang Tri Province. Among the visitors was Craige Edgerton, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

In 1969, Mr. Edgerton was stationed at Firebase Fuller (Dong Ha Mountain), manning 105mm howitzers overlooking the northern countryside. Fifty-five years later, he returned to that same soil – not as a soldier, but as a pilgrim seeking peace.

While visiting a family in Gio Linh Township – just miles from his old post – he met Nguyen Duc Rin (“Mr. Rin”), a 29-year-old man born with severe disabilities due to Agent Orange. Mr. Edgerton arrived expecting to offer comfort to a victim. Instead, he found himself being the one who was healed.

The following is his personal reflection on that meeting.

Mr. Rin
By Craige Edgerton

The centerpiece of the tapestry was about to be woven in, and I was unprepared for it. In Quang Tri, we visited the home of a Vietnamese family in Gio Linh Township with a child born with severe disabilities, the result of exposure to Agent Orange. He was 29 years old, had never had mobility or control of his body, was unable to speak, and required full-time care. His parents were very poor, and his mother was unable to work as she was his full-time caretaker.

The home was barely livable by American standards and modest even by rural Vietnamese standards. But it was clean, orderly, and functional for this impoverished family. We were given a summary of this family’s situation before arriving, but no level of preparation was adequate for what we found.

Ms. Ha shares her daily life caring for Rin with the veterans. Despite the hardships, her resilience left a deep impression on the group. Photo: Gioi Nguyen / Viet Dreamland

The young man, Nguyen Duc Rin, was on a concrete platform with a small pad and blanket beneath him. I guessed it was for sanitary purposes as he had no control over his bodily functions. He could roll his head with only minimal control, and although he tried to focus his eyes, it was almost impossible. After a short introduction from the mother, she invited us to visit her son.

One person in our group, Tony, a long-term nurse, immediately stepped forward to interact with Mr. Rin. The rest of us held back, not sure what to do. I found it hard to see this person as someone I could communicate with. I had only one other close encounter with a young girl in California in a similar situation, and although severe, she was more functional than Rin.

A couple of others took turns, one at a time, approaching him, holding his hand, saying a few comforting words (which he couldn’t understand because of his disabilities, and we spoke English), and trying to make any possible connection. As he rolled his eyes and head, he appeared pleased with our visit. His mother had given us clues about his reactions and said that she could communicate with him only through his eyes.

I was reluctant at first to approach him. But a little voice inside my head asked: “Isn’t this why you came to Vietnam? What are you afraid of? Get over there and connect with that young man. There is a gift for you in doing so.” I recognized the voice and trusted it. I approached him with almost reverence, not understanding why. After all, it was just one human connecting with another one. But it turned out to be much more than that.

His hand waved back and forth with no control. I took it and held it for a few seconds. It was very soft as he had never been able to use it. He rolled his eyes, trying to find me and focus. Eventually, he was able to stabilize them, and we were able to connect. The deformities seemed to disappear as I looked deeply into his eyes.

The moment of connection: Craige Edgerton holds Mr. Rin’s hand. He later wrote: “The deformities seemed to disappear… I could see him as a person, not his deformities.” Photo: Linh Pham / DER SPIEGEL

There was a moment when we seemed to know each other, or at least I could see him as a person, not his deformities.

I’ll never know what he was thinking or if he had any thoughts at all. All I can hope for is that he experienced some connection with me, too.

I whispered a few words and thanked him for the deep connection that I experienced. With that, his eyes rolled back, and we lost the eye-to-eye connection. I gently squeezed his hand once more and left the room. As I slowly returned to the group in the other room, I was overcome with emotion. I wasn’t crying, but basking in a deep personal connection that I have rarely experienced. Something had happened to me, and I didn’t understand it. I looked for a place to sit down and found a small cinder block wall.

I sat down as my knees were about to abandon me. Jan could see the stress on my face and came to sit next to me. That’s when it hit. I placed my face in the palms of my hands, eyes closed, to try and steady myself. A scene suddenly appeared in my mind that I was not prepared for.

I was on a firebase, similar to the ones I was on during my first time in Vietnam. It was a bare hilltop with 105 MM howitzers lined up in formation. It was hot and dusty, and sand-bagged bunkers were spread throughout. Large, bright white flashes, like flashbulbs in old cameras, were going off all around, and for just a moment, I was back in 1969. There was no sound, and no other Marines were seen. It was just me standing alone, observing the flashing lights on that firebase. The scene was vivid, and I felt like I was there, not as an observer, but as a participant. It only lasted a second or two, but the intensity of it was stamped into my mind’s eye. I don’t think I can ever forget those few moments.

As the scene disappeared, I paused momentarily to try to understand what had just happened. I had no clue. It was completely unexpected and unplanned. That is when I started to weep silently at first and then more intensely. What did it mean? Where did it come from? Why did it have such an impact on me? I know it is important, but what do I do with it? The emotions rolled over and through me, and I let them be whatever it was. I didn’t try to stop it, control it, or figure out what it was. For the time being, I let it be. I’d figure out the meaning in due time.

Jan placed her hand on my leg to let me know she was there, and I started to regain my sense of place. For that short moment, I had traveled to another time, another place. The message was received but has not yet been interpreted. I knew that if I let it be, the meaning would reveal itself in time.

Mickey sat down on the other side of me from Jan and placed his hand on my shoulder. He had served in the same area at about the same time as me, and even though he didn’t understand exactly what had happened in my mind, he understood the impact on me. There is a bond with comrades in arms that is hard to explain but is real. He was feeling the emotion with me. We met each other’s eyes, and nothing more needed to be said. We both understood.

Lou, another veteran who was not in combat, also came over and touched my shoulder. I gladly accepted his offer of support as I looked up at him. His innate compassion touched me and helped me get grounded. I tried to get up and join the rest of the group, but I wasn’t quite ready. I remained sitting on the short wall, trying to find meaning in the intense experience I had just had.

What was that all about? The location and time were obvious, but why did it come right after meeting with the Agent Orange victim, Mr. Rin? What was the connection, if any? I trusted that little knowing voice inside me would eventually help me understand. As I sat there asking the questions, I began to get the answer. The young man represented all my guilt, anger, remorse, embarrassment, shame, and any other negative feelings I had about my time and place in the war. He held all that for me, and by connecting through our eyes, he forgave me, which allowed me to release all those old feelings. I heard: “It’s okay. We all forgive you.” And for the first time in over 55 years, I understood. If he could forgive me after what we had done to him, it was time for me to forgive myself.

When I realized the importance of what had happened, I could feel the release in my body. It felt like a long-overdue shower washing away all the baggage I had been carrying for so long. And that is when the tears really started to flow. The tears became a shower, washing away the hurt I had hauled around all these years. That hurt had become a part of me. Fifty-five years washed away in less than a few minutes. I was weaving a new tapestry with fresh yellow yarn and a different picture of forgiveness and redemption. And this young, disfigured man was at the center of that new tapestry.

Trying to explain this profound experience rationally is beyond me. I am not a psychologist and do not understand how the mind works in situations like this. However, I have life experience and know that seemingly unrelated events can catalyze change. I had made up a story, true or not, about my time in Vietnam, and it was only through connecting with this young man that I was able to create a different one. I recognized that I was seeking a new story. I was ready for any possibility. Without that intention on my part, I doubt I would have been able to recognize the new story being presented to me.

Initially, I claimed I had no expectations for this trip, but I soon realized I did. This event was the central expectation I had. I wanted to find closure to all my hurt and pain for so many years, and I found it in a severely impacted victim of Agent Orange. That is not how I expected it to unfold, but I was ready because I focused on my intention. And I’m so glad I did!

I’m sure I will never see Mr. Rin again, but he is forever in my heart. I wish I could share my experience with him and tell him how much he meant to me. I plan to reconnect with him by providing help for his family through VFP #160. Thank you, Mr. Rin!

Since that meeting in October, the bond between Craige and Rin’s family has remained strong. Through the coordination of Project RENEW and VFP 160, Mr. Edgerton has committed to providing a monthly stipend to support Rin’s mother, Ms. Ha, ensuring the family has stability and resources for Rin’s care.

Historical Context: Firebase Fuller
Firebase Fuller was a U.S. Marine Corps base located on Dong Ha Mountain (Hill 549), overlooking Highway 9 and the Gio Linh lowlands. It saw intense combat during the war. For veterans like Mr. Edgerton, returning to the villages that lay in the shadow of this mountain is often a profound step in their reconciliation journey.

(Quang Tri, December 10, 2025) – On December 4, 2025, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee (PPC), Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan, signed Decisions No. 2948/QĐ-UBND and 2960/QĐ-UBND. These decisions officially approve the RENEW Center for Rehabilitation and Disability Support (RENEW Center) as the project owner and executing agency for two significant non-governmental aid packages.

The funding, totaling over 10.8 billion VND, is provided by the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam and Friends of Project RENEW (FPR) in the United States. The projects aim to support war victims and persons with disabilities while enhancing Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) throughout the 2025-2026 period.

The designation of the RENEW Center as the project owner comes at a critical time as Quang Tri Province focuses heavily on administrative restructuring following district mergers. The PPC’s prioritization of these approvals demonstrates a strong commitment to social welfare and a high level of confidence in the Center’s management capacity, transparency, and expertise in mine action.

These legal decisions serve as the foundation for the Center to activate funding commitments made in August 2025, ensuring that support activities can be implemented immediately in early 2026.

As the designated project owner, the RENEW Center assumes full responsibility for coordination, financial management, and the execution of the following objectives:

1. Project funded by the Embassy of Ireland (€293,800):

The Center will mobilize resources to build a safer and more inclusive community through July 2026. Key activities include:

• Procuring and donating 200 high-quality assistive devices (wheelchairs, tricycle wheelchairs, and prosthetics) to persons with disabilities.

• Implementing livelihood support packages for 30 households and upgrading facilities for 5 production workshops run by persons with disabilities.

• Leading large-scale EORE campaigns, integrating digital transformation and modern approaches to reach thousands of children, youth, teachers, Youth Union members, and parents.

An interactive EORE session for students at Project RENEW’s Mine Action Visitor Center. Thanks to the newly approved funding, vivid and visual communication activities like this will be further expanded in 2026.

2. Project funded by Friends of Project RENEW – FPR ($76,245):

The Center commits to providing specialized support through the end of 2026:

• Providing 100 orthopedic devices and improving sanitation/housing conditions for 25 persons with severe disabilities.

• Ensuring 100% of planned educational tours and community mural painting activities are executed effectively for the target beneficiaries.

Technicians from RENEW’s Prosthetics and Orthotics Mobile Outreach program provide on-site examinations and prosthetic fittings for local residents. This P&O program significantly improves healthcare access for persons with disabilities in remote areas.

Mr. Nguyen Hieu Trung, Director of the RENEW Center and Coordination Manager of Project RENEW, stated:

“We deeply appreciate and acknowledge the decision of the Provincial People’s Committee, as well as the steadfast companionship of the Embassy of Ireland and FPR with Project RENEW over the past decade, and their trust in the RENEW Center for this new chapter. As the project owner, the Center is committed to strictly complying with state regulations on aid management. We will coordinate closely with our partners and stakeholders to ensure every resource is used transparently and effectively, bringing positive change to the people of Quang Tri and contributing to people-to-people diplomacy between Vietnam-Ireland and Vietnam-USA.”

About RENEW Center

The RENEW Center for Rehabilitation and Disability Support was established in October 2024 to continue the mission of the Victim Assistance/Disability Support and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education components of Project RENEW.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc – Member of the Provincial Labour Federation Executive Committee (first from left), Mr. Nguyen Hieu Trung – Project RENEW Coordination Manager (first from right), and Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang – NPA Provincial Operations Manager (second from right) posing with the Executive Committee for the 2025–2030 tenure.

On December 4, 2025, Project RENEW/NPA Trade Union successfully convened its 2nd Trade Union Delegate Congress for the 2025–2030 tenure. The event brought together 150 delegates representing over 260 staff members of RENEW/NPA. 

The Congress was honored to welcome representatives from the Quang Tri Provincial Labour Federation, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Quang Tri Mine Action Center (QTMAC).

During the session, a new Executive Committee of 09 members was elected, with Mr. Ngo Xuan Hien re-elected as Chairperson. The composition of the new committee ensures broad representation across the organization’s diverse workforce. Notably, female members account for 44% of the Executive Committee, ensuring that perspectives from all operational and support units are well-represented in the union’s leadership.

Beyond organizational development, the spirit of community solidarity was vividly demonstrated. Prior to the opening session, staff members spontaneously donated over 17,000,000 VND to support flood victims in Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands. This contribution will be channeled through the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee.

RENEW/NPA Trade Union members making donations to support flood victims in the Central Highlands.

In his remarks regarding the future direction, Trade Union Chairperson Ngo Xuan Hien highlighted the priorities for the 2025–2030 tenure:

“Amidst provincial administrative changes, the new Executive Committee must coordinate closely with Project Leadership. Our dual goal is to ensure safe and effective mine action operations in accordance with donor commitments, while simultaneously safeguarding the material and spiritual well-being of our members.”

On behalf of the new Executive Committee, Mr. Hien affirmed the commitment to strictly incorporating the guidance from the Provincial Labour Federation and Project Leadership into concrete action plans immediately following the Congress.

On a recent afternoon, near the rear gate of Gio An Primary and Secondary School in Con Tien Comune, Quang Tri Province, a local grandfather, while taking his grandchild to school, noticed something unusual.

Half-buried in the dirt, just meters from where children would soon be rushing out for their break, lay an explosive remnant of war. Recognizing the danger immediately, 64-year-old Nguyen Van Dat wasted no time. He contacted the NPA/RENEW clearance team, which was already operating in the nearby An Nha Village.

“I was so worried for the schoolchildren, including my granddaughter,” Mr. Dat said, explaining his urgency.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dat (left) shows Team Leader Hoang Kim Chien the location where he spotted the explosive item near the school.

Receiving the report just before the start of the afternoon session, the NPA/RENEW Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team mobilized immediately to the site. The EOD team assessed the item, confirmed it was safe to move, and transported it to the NPA/RENEW clearance site in An Nha Village, where it was successfully destroyed later that day.

Students of Gio An School attend their afternoon classes, unaware of the potential danger that was safely removed earlier in the day.

Restoring the Land

For the teams at NPA/RENEW, removing a single item is only part of the battle. Across the province, they are working to clear entire hectares of land to ensure families can thrive without fear.

This impact is most visible in the story of Mr. Hoàng Đình Giản in Long Hai Village.

Mr. Giản’s family has lived here since 1976, raising four children on this soil. Today, he tends to a lush black pepper garden, but for many years, farming was filled with fear. Families like Mr. Giản’s knew that just one strike of a hoe could trigger a deadly explosion; he vividly remembers how a neighbor once lost his life after hitting a buried munition.

During a clearance operation conducted earlier this year,  six RENEW/NPA teams worked tirelessly to make safe a contaminated area in Long Hai and the surrounding villages.

A Shared Victory

Today, Mr. Giản’s land is safe. The fear is gone, replaced by the green shoots of new crops.

His story, alongside Mr. Dat’s vigilance at the school gate, reminds us that safety is a shared responsibility. Whether it is a community member reporting a threat or a clearance team sweeping a field, the goal remains the same: a safe and prosperous Quảng Trị.

Making Mission Possible

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of the United States, through the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, and the Government of Norway for their valuable support. It is their enduring commitment that allows us to continue this meaningful humanitarian mission—clearing the land, saving lives, and securing a brighter future for the people of Vietnam.