Search

PeaceTrees Vietnam 

Description

PeaceTrees Vietnam is a Seattle-based humanitarian organization working in Central Vietnam to assist those whose lives and livelihoods are threatened by the explosive remnants of war. We sponsor demining and mine risk education, victim assistance, community building projects and citizen diplomacy in partnership with the people of Quang Tri Province. PeaceTrees was founded in 1995 to renew relationships with the people of Vietnam and to promote a safe, healthy future for children and families.

Mission Statement
PeaceTrees Vietnam is dedicated to healing communities affected by war through landmine removal and education, survivor assistance, community assistance, and citizen diplomacy.
Donate Now
PeaceTrees Vietnam
509 Olive Way 
Seattle 
WA
98101 
(206) 441-6136 

Michael G. Auch 
Executive Director 

Programs

PeaceTrees Vietnam Programs

Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance Removal
PeaceTrees Vietnam sponsors the removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance to promote a safe and healthy environment for children and families in Central Vietnam. The landmine clearance teams proactively clear land known to be contaminated so that it can be used productively for farming and community activities. In addition, the clearance teams remove unexploded ordnance near schools, community centers, homes, and other public places by responding to reports received thoughtout the year.

Mine Risk Education
PeaceTrees Vietnam seeks to prevent loss of life and injury from UXO accidents by educating children and communities about types of UXO, the risks and what to do if they are found by members of the community in their day to day activities. In 2008, PeaceTrees expanded its MRE programs to include education for ethnic minorities, providing training and educational materials in remote areas and languages where it had not previously been provided.

Economic Development
PeaceTrees Vietnam seeks to improve the lives of families in Quang Tri Province through economic development activities that affect housing, education and jobs. PeaceTrees Vietnam builds libraries and kindergartens, plants trees, offers survivor assistance, scholarships and micro-credit loans.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

Since 1995 PeaceTrees Vietnam has:

  • Cleared over 575 acres of UXO contaminated land.
  • Removed over 75,000 UXO.
  • Planted over 44,000 trees.
  • Hosted over 46 Citizen Diplomacy Trips with more than 648 participants.
  • Provided Mine Risk Education for over 85,000 people.
  • Built 100 family homes, 11 libraries & 7 kindergartens.
  • Assisted over 900 UXO victims and their families.
PeaceTrees Vietnam needs funding for general support to continue our life saving work.

Specific funding needs:
  • Capacity building grant for a Development Director in Seattle, Washington.

Evaluation


PeaceTrees Vietnam sponsors demining and mine risk education, survivor assistance, citizen diplomacy trips and community building projects in partnership with the people of Quang Tri Province.
 
Proven Success
PeaceTrees Vietnam was the first international, nongovernmental organization to conduct demining work in Vietnam. In 15 years, PeaceTrees Vietnam has destroyed over 54,000 pieces of unexploded ordinance, provided mine risk education to more than 66,000 children and adults, and planted more than 41,000 indigenous trees, in addition to many other successes. 

Collaboration
PeaceTrees Vietnam was founded with the primary goal of rebuilding relationships between the United States and Vietnam, which they continue to successfully achieve through citizen diplomacy trips. To date, over 450 citizen diplomas have traveled to Vietnam with PeaceTrees, including students and faculty from Edmonds Community College and the University of Washington. In addition, PeaceTrees works with local government organizations to identify the communities most in need and works to eliminate barriers to successful community development, such as landmine removal and providing women with access to microcredit loans.

Financial Health
In addition to receiving support from a multitude of individual donors, several charitable foundations, local businesses, and an annual luncheon, PeaceTrees is also supported by the United States Department of State, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement—marking their expertise in landmine removal and education and strong relationships with local communities dedicated to clearing viable farmland of explosive remnants of war.

(Evaluated by the Seattle International Foundation, a supporting organization of The Seattle Foundation)

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
There are no recent grants awarded to this organization.

Financials

Similar Organizations

Give broadly to Communities
If supporting vibrant neighborhoods, creating new spaces to build community, and fostering connections across neighborhoods is important to you, then make a difference by giving to the Grantmaking Program.
Questions or comments about this organization?
Contact us to learn more.