Though the war ended about 50 years ago, many unexploded bombs and mines have been left over in central Vietnam, especially Quang Tri province that was fiercely bombarded by US imperialists during the war.
Approximately 1,000 mine clearance workers have temporarily stopped their operations in Quang Tri province, a former war-torn land in central Vietnam, following the suspension of most foreign aid by US President Donald Trump.
The Quang Tri Mine Action Center (QTMAC) confirmed on February 8 that approximately 1,000 mine clearance workers from three non-governmental organisations – Mines Advisory Group (MAG), Norwegian People’s Aid/Renew (NPA/RENEW), and PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTVN) - were affected by the US government’s decision. These organizations rely heavily on funding from the US government.
In a letter sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs of Quang Tri province, a representative of PTVN stated that they had received a directive from the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) under the US Department of State to immediately suspend all US-funded activities in every country, effective January 24. As a result, PTVN has temporarily halted all operations in Quang Tri.
Currently, PTVN has around 200 personnel engaged in mine clearance activities in the war-torn province.
Similarly, MAG Vietnam expressed regret in a notification to the provincial Department of Foreign Affairs following the US aid suspension.
Quang Tri province has approximately 62,000 hectares contaminated with cluster munitions. Over 37,000 hectares have been cleared, with more than 830,000 bombs and other unexploded ordnance safely removed. For more than 20 years, US-funded NGOs have been highly effective in mine clearance efforts in the region.
A leader of the Quang Tri Mine Action Center told thanhnien.vn that most mine clearance projects in Quang Tri rely on funding from the US Department of State, forcing all personnel from these organizations to pause their work.
He said the suspension is to allow a comprehensive review of all US aid projects globally. The review is expected to take no more than 90 days, after which decisions will be made. Therefore, the clearance projects must be temporarily suspended and await further instructions.
