Quang Tri hopes for continued US support to address war consequences

The central coastal province of Quang Tri hopes the US Department of State will consider exempting or shortening the temporary suspension of international aids, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Hoang Nam wrote in a letter on February 19.

The province also wants ongoing mine action programs and projects to continue while being reviewed, he said in a letter sent to the US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper and the US Embassy in Vietnam.

An ammunition cache detected and handled in Gio Linh District. Photo: NPA/RENEW

The US-funded mine clearance projects have helped reduce the risks of unexploded ordnance (UXO), free up land for livelihoods, and ensure safety for Quang Tri residents, he said.

According to the deputy chairman, four projects are underway in Quang Tri, which are the Restoring the Environment and Neutralizing the Effects of War (RENEW) project, the Community Liaison and Mine Clearance Project (Phase VII, 2021-2025), the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Socio-Economic Development Support project (2021-2025), and the Capacity Development Project for the Quang Tri Mine Action Center (2022-2025).

As of December 31, 2024, these organizations cleared over 24,000ha of land, covering 39% of the bomb-contaminated areas in Quang Tri. Some 37,800ha of land remained contaminated, and required further clearance for safety and socio-economic development.

From February 4-14, Quang Tri authorities received 23 UXO discovery reports, and only three have been addressed due to limited resources, the provincial Deputy Chairman said.

“Many hazardous explosives still pose daily threats to the community’s safety and livelihoods.”

Quang Tri has faced challenges in sustaining and continuing its mine action programs since the US Government reviewed its foreign aid policies, Nam said.

The suspension of international aids makes it harder for the province to ensure public safety and maintain socio-economic activities in previously surveyed hazardous areas, he added.

“We respectfully suggest that the Ambassador and the US Embassy propose the US Department of State exempt or clear the suspension, or continue the projects while reviewing them,” he wrote.

"Maintaining funding for these projects will help Quang Tri overcome war consequences, and ensure community safety and promotes sustainable socio-economic growth."

On the same day, provincial Deputy Chairman Nam signed a report on the suspension of US-funded projects in Quang Tri and submitted it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The report highlights that these projects have helped clear land for livelihoods, ensuring public safety. They have also supported over 1,500 people with disabilities, including victims of Agent Orange and UXO, by improving their integration, livelihoods, and access to healthcare, and created jobs for over 1,000 local workers.

He expected that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will will engage in suitable discussions with the US government agencies on the issues, and consider an exemption for mine action aids in Vietnam, or allow the projects to resume during the review.

The US government required foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving funding from the US agencies, including the US Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to suspend their operations for 90 days starting from January 25, 2025.

Quang Hai – Huy Anh