Dong Ha, Quang Tri (11 March 2021) – Key staff members of Project RENEW were honored to join with representatives of Quang Tri provincial authorities and other development organizations to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s National Day, in a Greening Ceremony organized for the first time in Dong Ha City, Quang Tri Province on Thursday evening.
The ceremony was hosted by Deputy Head of Mission Ms. Elisa Cavacece of the Irish Embassy in Vietnam, in collaboration with Quang Tri authorities, to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Vietnam and the 15th anniversary of Ireland – Quang Tri cooperation.
Speaking at a meeting prior to the Greening Ceremony, reviewing achievements in mutual cooperation with participation of provincial leadership and representatives of Irish Aid funding recipients, Deputy Chairman of Quang Tri Province People’s Committee expressed appreciation for the support of the government of Ireland to humanitarian programs in the field of mine action including risk education, victim assistance and clearance.
On Thursday morning, Ms. Elisa Cavacece and the Embassy staff also visited the Project RENEW Coordination Office and met with Project RENEW’s managerial staff who provided an update on implementation of the recent flood relief package funded by the Government of Ireland. Working through Project RENEW, the funding from Ireland helped affected communities in Quang Tri overcome the flood impact and resume normal life.
Speaking at the Greening Ceremony, Deputy Chairman Hoang Nam emphasized that Vietnam and Ireland are peace-loving countries which share similarities in the long-time struggle for independence. Therefore, the Vietnamese and Irish peoples do cherish the values of peace and freedom.
“Quang Tri has been so far the first province after Ha Noi being selected for hosting the Green Ceremony and it was the only one in Vietnam being selected in 2021 for this event,” said Deputy Chairman Hoang Nam. “This once again has affirmed the very special relationship.”
Direct funding from Irish Aid since 2015, through the Irish Embassy in Vietnam to Project RENEW, has sustained two important components of mine action in Quang Tri: Victim Assistance/Disability Support and Risk Education.
Project RENEW was established in 2001 as a joint effort between the government of Quang Tri Province and interested INGOs to “restore the environment and neutralize the effects of the war”.
