PeaceTrees Vietnam's unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance programs in Quảng Trị and Quảng Bình are on hold for 90 days due to the U.S. State Department's funding freeze and stop work order. The impact of this sudden halt to mine clearance program is devastating to our work:
- 300 highly trained explosive ordnance (EOD) technicians will be unable to return to the field to conduct their work during this period because their payroll and equipment are funded by the WRA Office.
- Nearly 1,500 pieces of UXO will remain in the ground, posing risks to communities throughout Central Vietnam: a child playing soccer, a farmer planting new seedlings, or a contractor laying foundations.
- Our teams will be unable to respond to requests to clear suspected UXO by individuals and communities – this ‘spot-tasking’ is an essential part of our mine clearance programs and means any discovered UXO will sit until programs resume.
- Explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) programs will be on pause until work is resumed. This means no awareness or education programs in kindergartens, primary schools, or community centers.
PeaceTrees has worked tirelessly over the years to build a healthy reserve to help us through uncertain times. However, the magnitude of this suspension is unlike anything we imagined. Funds that we can raise now to meet this moment will help protect PeaceTrees’ financial health and support us in navigating what a changing funding landscape.
What You Can Do
We’re raising $750,000 over the duration of this pause to cover payroll for all our dedicated EOD technicians in Vietnam. These funds will ensure our staff can meet their basic needs until they can return to the field. PeaceTrees EOD and support teams have devoted their lives to making Vietnam safer—let’s stand with them now when they need us most.
A gift of $2,500 covers one deminer for all 90 days
A gift of $830 covers one deminer for a month
A gift of $28 funds one deminer for one day
PeaceTrees accepts gifts made by check, credit/debit, direct deposit, DAF, IRA, family foundation, and stock. Please contact Isabelle Shively, Development Director, and Phi Nguyen, Development Coordinator, if you have questions about giving via these methods or others.
Apart from contributing to our work, you can also use our Advocacy Toolkit to contact your elected officials, share our official press release within your networks, and join us for future community calls and gatherings.
Please also know that this situation is changing by the hour. We'll do our best to keep you updated as we receive more information.