INJURY DATE:June 15th , 2002
INJURIES:Severe post traumatic stress due to the death of her sister in the accident
INTAKE DATE:June 15th , 2002
PROVINCE:Quang Tri
CPI Assistance: Medical, Nutrition & transportation fees, Family Bereavement Grant(her younger sister died )

Phan Thi Them , who is 12, and her 10 year-old sister Phan Thi Het, left their house early on the 15 June to gather firewood and clean up the orchard on the hilltop above their home.

They bundled the firewood as they went for the family cookfire, and then as they cleared away forest debris under the trees, Het's rake disturbed a clusterbomb.

Phan Thi Them lives in Quang Hai Village, Vinh Quang Commune, which lies on the coast in Vinh Linh District, just north of the old DMZ in Quang Tri Province, and is very near the famous Vinh Moc Tunnels. During wartime the entire village moved underground for shelter from B-52 carpet bombing, naval artillery barrages and fighterbomber airstrikes.

After the accident, both girls were transported to Quang Tri General Hospital in Dong Ha Town, and authorities there contacted CPI for assistance. Het died after 10 hours on the operating table. Them's injuries were slight because she was a few metres behind and to the side of her sister, and though she quickly recovered physically, Them continues to be 'panicstricken' and suffers from a traumatic amnesia, unable to recall her six siblings, parents or surroundings.

CPI covered the medical expenses for both girls and provided a Family Bereavement Grant to help defer burial costs for Het during a visit to the family. Their lving conditions were assessed and a Home Improvement Grant recommendation was made by CPI staffers Ms. Phuong and Ms. Nhi.