In Quang Tri Province, a land scarred by war and the lingering threat of unexploded ordnance, Pham Thanh Trung has turned personal tragedy into a life-saving mission.

In 1990, when Trung was just eight, his father lost his life because a cluster bomb exploded while he was farming in their garden. This devastating incident left a deep scar on young Trung. His mother had to work harder to provide for four children, the youngest just an infant. The father’s sudden passing had haunted Trung for years with a weighing question: how to end the threat of explosive remnants of war.

In 2017, Trung found his answer when he joined RENEW/NPA, after reading a recruitment notice on social media. Starting as a technical surveyor, Trung now dedicates himself to a clearance team, working tirelessly to clear contaminated land and restore safety to the community.

“Our work not only prevents accidents but also restores land to farmers, helping them to rebuild their lives,” Trung said. As a father of two, he honors his father’s memory by striving for a safer future for Quang Tri Province – a legacy of hope born from resilience.

RENEW/NPA’s core team is made up of well-trained and highly committed Vietnamese staff who live in Quang Tri Province, whose families have experienced the suffering of war. Several of their loved ones suffered the consequences of unexploded bombs, just like Pham Thanh Trung’s own experience. Their teamwork, understanding and professional competence contribute significantly to the project’s remarkable achievements.

We thank the U.S. government’s generous funding of UXO clearance operations at RENEW/NPA in Quang Tri Province, which has been instrumental in making significant paces towards a safe province during the past two decades. The U.S. support has enabled organizations like RENEW/NPA to continue our life-saving work and bring hope to communities affected by the lingering threat of unexploded ordnance.

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