Dong Ha, Quang Tri (20 April 2018) – “This is a special moment of my life and I have never felt happier,” said Nguyen Quang Muoi, RENEW-NPA Technical Survey Team Leader said on Friday when he and three other Team Leaders were presented the Certificate of Achievement for their successful completion of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Level 2 Course.

The four team leaders went through two weeks of extensive theoretical and practical training that includes explosive ordnance recognition, explosives theory and safe handling and methods of disposal. The EOD Level 2 qualification enables them to conduct an EOD task to dispose explosive munitions that weigh up to 110 pounds.

Four Team Leaders of NPA-RENEW and two Senior Operators from NPA Program in Thua Thien-Hue pose for a photo with MAG and NPA Technical Field Managers after each was presented with a Certificate of Achievement.

MAG Technical Field Manager Chris Tierney, who presented the certifications, said the trainees had passed all theoretical and practical tests. “They are very professional in everything they’ve done,” Chris said.

Muoi said he had concentrated on improving his skills since he joined Project RENEW as a deminer, and he was pleased that he had now achieved this high level of expertise. A native of Hai Lang District, Muoi started to work at Project RENEW in 2009 and six years later got promoted to NPA-RENEW Technical Survey Team Leader.

Muoi joined three other senior NPA-RENEW team leaders for the training:  Pham Huu Hoan, Hoang Van Thai and Nguyen Van Tuong.  All qualified for the EOD Level 2 Certification after successfully completing the course, with 10 team leaders from MAG Quang Tri and MAG Quang Binh, and two senior operators from NPA’s Program in Thua Thien-Hue Province.

NPA-RENEW Team Leader Nguyen Van Tuong and MAG Team Leader Le Van Tra prepare for a live demolition practice at MAG’s central demolition site.

The EOD Level 2 course was jointly conducted by Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and Norwegian People’s Aid  (NPA) from 9 to 20 April 2018. It is part of an agreement between NPA, MAG, and the government of Quang Tri Province to build capacity for local staff, in addition to conducting Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) survey and clearance operations.

The consisted of 5.5 days of theoretical work and a written test, followed by 3.5 days of practical training and assessments.  A live demolition practice was conducted on the last day.

“The course provided us with essential knowledge and skills to identify ERW accurately and dispose of them safely” said Nguyen Van Tuong, leader of NPA-RENEW Technical Survey Team No. 9. “The course has reinforced my confidence to continue this work,” he added.

MAG and NPA are the two key operators in implementation of the Integrated Survey and Clearance Project funded by U.S. Department of State in Quang Tri Province.

About Project RENEW: Founded in 2001, Project RENEW is a cooperative program between the government of Quang Tri Province and foreign non-governmental organizations dedicated to restoring the environment and neutralizing the effects of the war. Project RENEW carries out UXO Survey and Clearance, Victim Assistance and Risk Education with funding from the U.S. Department of State, Irish Aid and other foundations and individuals.