A group of geological scientists from Hue University of Sciences led by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh conducted a survey of the land subsidence site after the incident. The study showed that Tan Hiep village is located in a limestone seam belt, underground streams exist below ground, and heavy rains caused groundwater to flow strongly, creating caves and subsiding the ground. Heavy rains also reduced soil cohesion, making it easier for the underground layer to collapse. The study suggested that the local authorities devise plans to move people out of the affected area as soon as possible.
The land subsidence in Tan Hiep in 2006
The resettlement plan for affected communities started in March 2006 and MAG was asked to support. MAG cleared 59,269 square metres of contaminated land in 30 days, finding and safely destroying 24 unexploded bombs. In the safe resettlement area, 1.5 kilometres from the subsidence area, 60 households made up of 280 people were relocated.
“In the past, this land was abandoned and we feared bombs might be left behind. We also saw them (bombs) lying on the ground. But thanks to the clearance in the new area, we felt safe moving here” Mrs Chuong said.
Chuong is standing in front of her house in the resettlement area
She added that the new area was much more spacious and offered a better quality of life for her family.
“When we lost a lot of stuff due to land subsidence, moving to a new place was not easy for our family. However, as we were confident that the land would be safe for growing vegetables, we were able to adapt quickly. We have enough vegetables to feed our family and sometimes more for the market,” she said.
Similarly to Mrs Chuong, Mr Vuong’s family supported their livelihood by farming rice and raising chickens in the resettlement area. His family, one of 60 households affected by the disaster, received seeds, fertilizer, and livestock from the local authorities so they could rebuild their lives on the new safe land.
“Since we moved here, we have had safe and spacious land to cultivate rice. Our income is not high but we are stable. The best part is we can live and do what we are skilled at, farming, in safety” shared Mr Vuong.
Vuong in his family’s rice paddy field
In addition to the clearance, MAG provided explosive ordnance risk education to the relocated residents. The aim of the session was to ensure that they better understood how to stay safe. Our teams encourage members of the community to report dangerous items in the right way, and never to touch them. After 17 years of living in the resettlement area, local people like Mrs Chuong and Mr Vuong all call this place home. They feel that this is a place where their families can grow and thrive. Mr Vuong’s biggest wish is for his children to have better opportunities and a brighter future. He hopes that they will be able to continue to live and work on the land that he has worked so hard to make a home.
In a time of need, the U.S. Government’s long-term support allowed MAG to provide a secure and safe space for the community in Tan Hiep village to recover from the disaster and rebuild their lives.
Members of MAG’s Mine Action Team in who cleared land in the resettlement area on the day the safe land was handed over to the community
The area of resettlement today in Tan Hiep village, Quang Tri
Source: MAG VN
