Victims of landmines, explosives need assistance to overcome difficulties

Ho Van Lai, born 1990, a victim of landmines in the central coastal province of Quang Tri was the honorable guest to attend the 3rd global conference on assistance to the victims of mines and other explosive ordnance hosted by Cambodia in October. Lai speaks to Quang Tri Online newspaper about the conference upon his return.

Could you share with us some information about the 3rd global conference on assistance to the victims of mines and other explosive ordnance?

The 3rd global conference on assistance to the victims of mines and other explosive ordnance was held in Cambodia by the delegation of the European Union and the Implementation Support Unit of The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and their Destruction (The Ottawa Treaty). The conference aimed to seek assistance and promote governments' commitment to implementing obligations related to the agreement, including supporting victims of mines and explosives.

Ho Van Lai. Photo of his own

The conference was also a forum where people and communities affected by mines and explosives and disabled rights activists could discuss related issues. During the conference, challenges in assisting victims were examined in detail. The outcomes would serve as a call to action and be included in the Program of Action of members of The Treaty.

It was my honor to be the representative of the RENEW Project in Vietnam and participate in the conference. Accompanying me on the trip to Cambodia was Hoang Thi Hoa, Manager of the NPA Program in the central highlands province of Kon Tum. I am very grateful to the Friends of Project RENEW organization for covering the expense of this trip.

What activities did you and other delegates take part in during the conference?

We had a chance to join a lot of meaningful activities. Firstly, I met delegates who were victims of mines and explosives from Cambodia and other countries. We had the opportunity to speak out our concerns and propose solutions for assisting the victims. During our time at the conference, we paid a visit to the exhibition display stall of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center. Meanwhile, we joined the Rehabilitation Center of the non-governmental organization EXCEED WORLDWIDE. This is a place for training students from Cambodia and other countries in treatment, prosthetic limbs, and orthopedic instrument provision. We were also able to sign our names on the thank-you letter to the host nation and the organization board and took our vow to act for the victims of mines and explosives. The activities of the conference were also attractive. These are the memories I won’t forget.

You have overcome many challenges and difficulties to attend the conference with high confidence. Can you say something about your journey?

I was born and raised in Residential Block 2, Cua Viet Town, Gio Linh District. When I was 10 years old, I accidentally found a steel pellet bomb while playing with three of my brothers. As a curious kid unaware of it being a dangerous explosive, I picked up a stone and hit the bomb. It exploded, and the explosion left me severely injured. After spending four months in the hospital, I had to undergo various surgeries. Sometimes, I wished I could die because of the pain I had to endure. Leaving the hospital with over 86% of injury damage, my life was in deep sorrow. I could not take care of myself with the simplest things. Even at an early age, I rarely had a proper sleep. Every time I lay down on the bed, I was awake, hearing explosions from nowhere.

During my darkest days, I wondered a lot about my future. I realized that only studying would change my life in a better way. Therefore, I put everything aside and participated in the pre-integration course, then moved to Dong Ha to study. I entered the Danang University of Science and Technology to the surprise of many people. Since then, my life has had more hope. I have been working at the Mine Action Visitor Center of RENEW, a program sponsored by the Irish Embassy in Vietnam, since 2015. From a boy who lost part of his body to mines and haunted by explosions, I became a propagandist for preventing explosive accidents. This is such a meaningful task that the more I do it, the more I love it.

During your time of stepping out of the darkness filled with pain and an inferiority complex, what kind of support did you receive?

I would not be the person I am today without the attention of the authority, organizations, and generous individuals. In particular, the NGO projects in Quang Tri Province have provided me with great support. After the bomb accident, the Peace Tree Vietnam Organization covered all of my treatment expenses, followed by sponsoring tuition, books, a wheelchair... The CPI provided me with prosthetic limbs. The RENEW Project offered a job that helped me integrate with the community and become a productive member of society. Despite the fact that being a person with disabilities, I would confidently affirm my independent living.

The job from RENEW provides me with a stable monthly income to cover my living expenses. Moreover, I have the opportunity to propagate the prevention of mine accidents to everyone, especially students and kids. Therefore, I could improve their skills and actions when detecting mines to prevent accidents.

Having interacted with people in the same situation, what challenges do you think victims of mines and explosives have been facing in their lives?

From my life story, I deeply understand the difficulties and challenges of people with disabilities in general and victims of mines and explosives in particular. Following the mine accidents, most victims lose or have their abilities weakened not only in movement, vision, hearing... but also in memory and psychology. They struggle to integrate into the community, access public services, and seek jobs. It is the low self-esteem that has been engulfing them. They are not even confident enough to participate in local entertainment activities, not to mention the pursuit of happiness. By talking with delegates who fell victims to mines and explosives from member countries of the conference, I’ve realized that they, along with most people in similar situations, have faced such problems. Without external support, perhaps there was only a small number of people with disabilities that would stretch forward with confidence and independence.

Through your personal experiences after returning from the conference, what message can you send to the community, especially victims of mines and explosives?

Currently, people with disabilities, especially victims of mines and explosives, in Vietnam and other countries in the world have received positive attention and support. However, they still face many challenges and difficulties. Therefore, I hope relevant departments create a barrier-free environment where they can join social activities equally like normal people. I expect that the NGOs will have more good solutions to support vulnerable people, especially victims of mines and explosives. The victims need to have confidence in themselves and strive in endless efforts for a bright future. Good things are always ahead of us.

Thank you for your time!

Tay Long - Huy Anh