During fierce and continuous air and artillery raids, the US poured hundred thousands of tonnes of bombs and shells in Quang Tri more than the quantity used in Europe during World War II. A great number of US and Saigon puppet army’s military bases and posts were situated there which were surrounded by thick mine fields. The province was overturned by bombing and shelling attacks.

The war is history but it has left dire consequences for the the land famous place-names connecting to fierce battles such as Khe Sanh, Ta Con, Doc Mieu, Thanh Co and Con Tien. Unexploded ordnance lying deep in the soil has been a potential risk for the people’s peaceful lives.

There is no other location in present-day Vietnam that the people have to detect mines before building their house. There is also nowhere in the country that schoolchildren have to learn how to deal with unexploded bombs and mines. Everyday, death and injuries occurred to people there where 35 percent of the land is uninhabitable and impossible to cultivate due to the large quantity of bombs, shells, mines and other destructive armaments that remain in the soil. Consequences of the war make Quang

Tri one of the poorest provinces in the country. A number of impoverished people earn
their living by collecting discarded war material. Like other ordinary farmers, they are always exposed to death and injuries.

As a result of sand, dust, the sun and the war's legacy, the rural people do not have many choices in making a livelihood. Necessity prevents wisdom. Having a limited education and no professional skills, fishermen resettling on the mainland have no job rather than collecting discarded war material. Some of them bought a mine-detector for VND200,000, a hoe and a bicycle. They go to any place suspected to have bombs or shell fragments. After detecting signs of metal, they begin to dig up the land. They have no technical knowledge or specialized tools. The hidden bombs or mines may explode and kill or injure them.

In order to protect the people’s lives and create a safe environment for stable production and promote the land and labour potential, the Quang Tri authorities at all levels have implemented policies on poverty reduction and socio-economic development. Meanwhile, bomb and shell detection and removal activities have been urgently conducted. However, the budget exclusive for these activities remains limited. That is why, this poor province has combined its internal resources with international assistance to overcome war consequences and contribute to socio-economic development and poverty reduction.

Quang Tri province has received important assistance from the international community, particularly non-governmental organizations in implementing this vitally important but extremely difficult humaniterian service.

Germany’s Solidarity Service International, SODI is one of organisations which has helped the province detect and remove bombs and shells and has established and managed two teams for the job.

Since its establishment in 2001, the team has cleared 600 ha of land. On average, they cleared between eight and 10 ha a month. In 2005 alone, they found 8,000 explosive objects. M79 shells, steel-pellet and other hazardous bombs and shells were deactivated on the spot. Less hazardous bombs and shells were gathered to deactivate every Friday.

Difficulties and dangers only serve to strengthen their courage. Volunteer members of mine-detecting teams are braving sun and rain to fulfil their tasks. They simply wish to make a contribution to reduce the death rate caused by unexploded bombs and mines and turn the waste and impoverished soil into fertile agricultural land.

The provincial administration has paid particular attention to developing economic activities in mine-free areas. International organisations have helped in infrastructure development and income-generation activities in resettlement villages. Germany’s SODI has helped build three villages in Cam Lo and Trieu Phong districts to resettle 222 households. Britain’s Mines Advisory Group, MAG helped construct a village for 78 households in a location it had completed mine clearance in Gio Linh district. Peace

Trees Vietnam from the US joined efforts with the province to build a village in Dong Ha town to resettle 100 war victim households.

Provided with a piece of mine-free land and financial assistance, those who had travelled in hazardous areas to collect discarded war materials, have focused on farming and finding new occupations. With the initiative and support of development projects, many dynamic economic models have been confirmed and replicated.

Thirty years have elapsed since the war ended. Positive changes have taken place in Quang Tri province. Trees and crops have revitalised the war ravaged land with their greenness. However, mine-detecting teams are still working day and night, and confronting danger for an eternal peace.