An overview of the meeting

PTVN began its operations in Quang Tri in 1996. Over the past three decades, the organization has worked closely with local authorities, departments and agencies, relevant forces and local communities to implement programs and projects focusing on landmine and explosive ordnance survey and clearance, mine-risk education, victim assistance, livelihood development and the construction of community facilities.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee Hoang Nam receives the delegation of PeaceTrees Vietnam’s Executive Director

To date, PTVN has disbursed more than US$21 million for activities in Quang Tri. The organization has provided assistance to hundreds of mine victims and their families, awarded approximately 3,500 scholarships, and built or supported more than 20 schools, satellite schools and kindergartens, 12 libraries, one resettlement village and two community centers. It has also implemented various programs supporting livelihoods, nutrition and community development.

Delegates attending the meeting

In recent years, PTVN has continued to carry out landmine and explosive ordnance clearance and mine-risk education programs in both northern and southern areas of the province. These programs have contributed to clearing tens of millions of square meters of land and safely destroying tens of thousands of mines and explosive devices, while raising mine-risk awareness among tens of thousands of local residents.

Delegates attending the meeting

At the meeting, Standing Vice Chairman Hoang Nam highly appreciated PTVN’s contributions over the past 30 years to Quang Tri’s efforts to address the consequences of war, support local communities and promote people-to-people friendship between Vietnam and the United States.

He expressed his sincere thanks to PTVN, Executive Director Claire Yunker and U.S. partners for their valuable support and resources for Quang Tri’s post-war recovery efforts. Their contributions have helped improve safety for local residents, return cleared land to productive use and create favorable conditions for the province’s socio-economic development.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee Hoang Nam presents a commemorative gift to the PeaceTrees Vietnam delegation

Regarding future cooperation, Standing Vice Chairman Hoang Nam asked PTVN to continue coordinating with the province in implementing projects to survey, clear and dispose of mines and explosive ordnance in northern and southern areas of Quang Tri during the 2026-2030 period. He also called for closer coordination with local authorities and relevant departments and agencies to ensure that projects are implemented safely, effectively and in accordance with regulations. Regarding the change of implementing partners for some war-remnant clearance activities in southern Quang Tri in the coming period, the provincial authorities asked PTVN to study and formally discuss the possibility of taking over, implementing and coordinating the handover of appropriate activities, based on the resources, personnel, equipment and funding already allocated or committed by competent authorities.

The Standing Vice Chairman also asked PTVN to closely coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Quang Tri Mine Action Center (QTMAC) in mobilizing international resources, particularly support from the U.S. Government, for the province’s 2026-2035 Action Program on Addressing the Consequences of Post-War Mines and Explosive Ordnance and its 2026-2030 operational plan. He further called on PTVN to continue supporting post-clearance development programs, schools and satellite schools, scholarships, and other initiatives aimed at improving local people’s quality of life.

Provincial leaders pose for a group photo with the PeaceTrees Vietnam delegation

Affirming Quang Tri’s appreciation for its cooperation with PTVN, Standing Vice Chairman Hoang Nam expressed his hope that the organization would continue to strengthen its partnership with the province. He said that PTVN’s continued support would contribute to addressing the consequences of war, building a safe and stable life for local residents, and further promoting friendship between Vietnam and the United States.

Speaking at the meeting, PTVN Executive Director Claire Yunker expressed her sincere thanks to Quang Tri’s provincial leaders for their attention, guidance and support for the organization’s activities, particularly its efforts to address the consequences of landmines and explosive ordnance. She highly appreciated the transparency and close coordination among relevant stakeholders toward the shared goal of building a safer Vietnam. She also expressed her wish to continue participating in workshops and coordination activities with the province and other non-governmental organizations, as well as community support programs following landmine clearance. Claire Yunker affirmed that the province’s continued partnership and support would provide an important foundation for PTVN to carry out its activities more smoothly and effectively in Quang Tri.

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