Sharing with PeaceTrees Vietnam, Mr. Tran Van Hoang, Khe Sanh Secondary School’s principal expressed: “The students and teachers of Khe Sanh Secondary School are honored to collaborate with PeaceTrees Vietnam in organizing the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education event. As an area heavily affected by Vietnam war, currently, 75% of the area in Huong Hoa district is contaminated by Explosive ordnances. Therefore, directly hearing from the field technicians of the PeaceTrees Vietnam Quang Tri project sharing and presenting the characteristics, risks, behaviors, and consequences of landmines and explosive ordnances not only helps students but also equips teachers with knowledge on how to safely handle explosive ordnances”.

With the combination of knowledge sharing sessions, engaging educational games, and informative posters, the event provides easy and effective access to students. Additionally, the school has prepared two cultural performances related to landmine and explosive accident prevention, performed by the students of Khe Sanh Secondary School. Through these activities, students have the opportunity to learn more about mine accidents and prevention methods.

Especially, right after the event ended, Ho Van Deng (8th grade, Khe Sanh Secondary School) reported to the EORE team of PeaceTrees Vietnam Quang Tri about the location of an explosive ordnance found at the Lonely Tree tourist site (in Cu Vo village, Huong Linh Commune, Huong Hoa District), more than 10km away from Khe Sanh Secondary School, which he discovered during a visit with his friend to this tourist site. Immediately, the EORE team of PeaceTrees Vietnam Quang Tri accompanied Deng to the location of the item. Through the initial identification by PeaceTrees Vietnam Quang Tri’s field technician, the explosive ordnance was identified as an 81mm mortar ammunition with an extremely dangerous 245 fuse. The EORE team along with Deng promptly called Quang Tri Mine Action Center (QTMAC) through hotline 0901 941 941, while also marking and warning of the danger in the surrounding area for the EOD team to continue processing. Immediately afterward, the EOD1 team of PeaceTrees Vietnam Quang Tri arrived to handle and safely detonate this 81mm mortar ammunition.

To enhance the effectiveness of the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education event at schools, PeaceTrees Vietnam Quang Tri will continue to implement Explosive Ordnance Risk Education events at schools in the near future. We sincerely thank our sponsors for their support of our work.