Project RENEW’s initial focus was on mine risk education (MRE) through a partnership with the Youth Union of two districts, Hai Lang and Trieu Phong. These grassroots MRE safety programs contributed to a measurable reduction of ERW/UXO incidents in these two districts, from 45 accidents per year in the period 1996-2001, to only seven in the period 2002-2008.
Following initial success of the risk education program, a mine victim assistance program was launched to provide assistance to families already injured by UXO accidents – emergency medical treatment, prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation, and opportunities for ERW/UXO survivors to earn their own incomes and become economically independent.
The period 2007-2008 saw an expansion of RENEW operations into Cam Lo, a third district. This was in response to increasing demands from local residents and government officials for clearance of dangerous UXO. To assist these areas, Project RENEW established partnerships with international mine action organizations Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and Golden West Humanitarian Foundation (GWHF). These organizations provide technical assistance and training and they support deployment of additional teams for EOD response and UXO clearance in contaminated areas.
