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ProjectRENEW

Description:

Project RENEWâ„¢

Project RENEWâ„¢ was initiated by he Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in an effort to reduce the threat of an estimated 350,000 tons of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) that remains scattered throughout Vietnam from the war that ended in 1975. This UXO results in more than 1,000 people being wounded or killed each year.

Initiated in December 2000, the project focuses on mine awareness education and victims assistance in Quang Tri Province's Trieu Phong District. During the Vietnam War, Quang Tri Province was divided by the Demilitarized Zone and as a result, was the most heavily bombed and shelled area of Vietnam. The Trieu Phong District is the most densely populated area in the province and was an area of heavy fighting during the war up to 1975. Several significant steps have been taken to help the Vietnamese lead productive lives. Quang Tri Television airs public service announcements showing the dangers of landmines and UXO during nightly newscasts, childrens programming and other key times. Since the public service announcements began airing in March 2002, only three people have been injured by explosions in Trieu Phong District.