Project RENEW, Quang Ngai join hands to raise awareness on mine/UXO

	Mechanical demining systems optimized to be cost-effective
	New tricycle from Project RENEW helps ease the burden of disabilities for a mother of two
	Project RENEW, Quang Ngai Red Cross Chapter educate people about dangers of landmines

The signing ceremony occurred in the context that Quang Ngai, despite being one of the 17 most affected provinces by explosive remnants of war, hasn’t received international assistance to deal with the war consequences.

Based on the results of the cooperation in 2018-2019, Project RENEW will continue help Quang Ngai Red Cross sustain the community reporting network in project communes and organize risk education sessions to raise people’s awareness of UXO and provide children and adults with safe behavior guidance.

In addition, Project RENEW will help Quang Ngai Red Cross to implement physical rehabilitation and income generation activities for UXO victims.

One of the central provinces of Vietnam, Quang Ngai suffered heavy devastation during wartime. It is the site of the 1968 My Lai Massacre. Explosive remnants of war (ERW) still pose a threat to local people’s safety and a hindrance to the province’s development.

Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC) reports that a survey in 2008 indicated 2,933 square kilometers of Quang Ngai province were ERW contaminated. ERW have killed and injured 2,932 people in Quang Ngai since 1975.

Contamination also imposes a heavy financial cost at a time of rapid economic modernization, limiting cultivation of affected agricultural areas and requiring major infrastructure and industrial development projects to provide for costly clearance operations.

The clean-up of wartime debris will likely continue for years. However, children and adults can be safe if they are educated about UXO risks and provided with guidance on what to do when they encounter ERW around their homes and gardens, roadsides and school yards./.