American Ambassador Michael W. Michalak joined MAG Chief Executive Officer Lou McGrath OBE on a visit to one of MAG’s Vietnam project sites in Gio Linh district on 23 July.
Located in Quang Tri province in the central belt of Vietnam, Gio Linh district was one of the most contaminated areas during the war in Vietnam and for many years remained unusable for infrastructure development.
Following an inspection by MAG technical teams, clearance of unexploded ordnance commenced on 1 July and will finish on 31 July. After rigorous quality assurance, the cleared land will then be handed back to the provincial authorities for development into a local market.
Following a safety and operational briefing by MAG staff, Ambassador Michalak under the watchful eye of Hoang Minh Phuong, MAG Vietnam Team Leader, the ambassador assisted in safely destroying a 81mm mortar shell, which had been discovered by MAG clearance teams.
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The American Ambassador is presented with a gift by MAG Technical Operations Coordinator MAG Le Van Tra. |
Ambassador Michalak congratulated MAG for its work in Vietnam and on the vital service given in returning much-needed land to local communities. The Ambassador went on to outline his commitment to clearance activities and to MAG’s philosophy of linking clearance with longer-term developmental opportunities.
Earlier in the day, Lou met with Mr Nguyen Duc Chinh, Vice-Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee (PPC) for detailed discussions on MAG’s work in the province. Mr Chinh discussed MAG’s work to date, commenting that the people of the province “highly commended and appreciated the work done so far”.
Mr Chinh went on to say that the effects of explosive remnants of war have had a disastrous effect on the socio-economic status of the province as well as the health of people injured by exploding ordnance. Lou reaffirmed MAG’s commitment to Vietnam and to continuing clearance activities and discussed with Mr Chinh the need for MAG to accelerate the process of locally appointed colleagues being successful in applying for senior posts in the organisation.
The meeting concluded by Mr Chinh confirming that a new memorandum of understanding will be signed very soon and looked forward to a continuing constructive and fruitful partnership with MAG.
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A 81mm mortar prepared for detonation. |
Tran Thi Dieu An is the mother of two sons who lives in a house built on a former minefield. At 28 years old, Mrs An has lived in her house for four years following the site being cleared of 2,019 mines and 8,384 items of unexploded ordnance.
Mrs An is now able to cultivate green beans, peanuts, sweet potato, water cucumber and papaya. This significant improvement in her household economy ensures Mrs An’s family of continuing food security as well as affording her access to the market to sell some of her produce. Seventy-four families including Mrs An’s now live, grow crops and have greater access to the marketplace.
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24 July 08
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