The ceremony was jointly organised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the People’s Committee of Quang Tri province and the National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environment Treatment (NACCET) under the Ministry of Defence.
The project on improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in provinces heavily sprayed with Agent Orange has funding of over US$6.9 million while the project on strengthening opportunities and enhancing the position of people with disabilities has funding of US$2 million.
This aid is from the American people within the framework of the bilateral economic and technical cooperation agreement between the US and Vietnamese governments signed in 2005.
Speaking at the ceremony, USAID Director Ann Marie Yastishock highly lauded the leadership and effective cooperation of Quang Tri province in implementing projects between the two countries. She also emphasised the importance of the partnership between USAID and NACCET in the project on improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in provinces heavily sprayed with Agent Orange.
She noted that the project demonstrates the efforts of USAID programmes in Vietnam in using local organisations to take on the role of project management.
The project will focus on implementing four goals including expanding medical support and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities; expanding social services and strengthening social inclusion supports to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities; improving policies and public attitudes as well as reducing barriers to ensure social inclusion of people with disabilities; and strengthening the management capacity of and support activities for people with disabilities at all levels.
Quang Tri province is one of the most important partners with the US in terms of conducting cooperation projects with Vietnam, including projects on demining, supporting people with disabilities, and humanitarian aid.
