Many years after the fierce war, the land of Quang Tri still copes with the burden of unexploded ordnance. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of clearance teams, people’s lives have improved gradually. One of the examples can be found in Kim Thach Commune, Vinh Linh District, where local farmers can cultivate with peace of mind after contaminated areas have been cleared of bombs.
Duong Van Son, a Xuan Village of Kim Thach Commune resident, prepared to plant scallions on his farmland with his family members today. Talking with the NPA/RENEW deputy team leader, he expressed his joy when knowing that his family’s farmland had been made free from unexploded ordnance. “Xuan Village during wartime was a stockpile of weapons for the frontline Con Co Island,” said the 63-year-old farmer. “It was a primary target of U.S. aircraft and naval ships.” He recalled that cluster munitions left from the war claimed the lives of two children and injured one many years ago.
Like many others in Kim Thach, Son’s family earns extra income from growing various short-term crops such as scallions, taros, and peanuts, in addition to tending black pepper or rubber plantations. Son thanked the NPA/RENEW clearance teams for their work in Kim Thach Commune, one of the areas highly impacted by unexploded ordnance.
After 30 days of consecutive work, four clearance teams from NPA/RENEW have cleared nearly 400,000 square meters of land and safely disposed of 124 explosives, including 58 cluster munitions – the cause of 48% of the total postwar accidents in Quang Tri Province. All these munitions were destroyed by the end of their working day.
NPA/RENEW planned to complete the clearance task in Kim Thach in December 2024. This important operation will benefit directly 1,277 people in the commune, including 327 men, 368 women, 306 boys, and 276 girls.
The unexploded ordnance clearance in Kim Thach exemplified nonstop efforts to remediate the war legacies, bringing back safety for people. We thank the U.S. Department of State for funding the clearance program of NPA/RENEW in Quang Tri Province.
