PRESS RELEASE

May 29, 2009

United States Doubles Funding for Environmental Health and Remediation in Vietnam

Hanoi, May 29, 2009 – The United States Government has doubled its funding for environmental health and remediation in Vietnam, from $3 million to $6 million. 

U.S. President Barack Obama recently signed a bill that included an additional $3 million for continued U.S. Government assistance for environmental remediation of dioxin contamination and related health activities.  This funding follows an initial $3 million provided in 2007 for dioxin mitigation and health projects in Vietnam. 

Of the $6 million total, about one-third is programmed for health related activities, which are already underway.  The remaining amount is dedicated to environmental remediation efforts which the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is developing in close collaboration with the Government of Vietnam and which will complement the efforts of other donors. 

Ongoing plans for environmental remediation activities include an environmental impact assessment to be conducted jointly with the Government of Vietnam.  The U.S. will then work closely with Vietnamese authorities to develop environmentally sound designs and plans for removing dioxin from soil and sediment near the Danang airport. 

As part of its broader aid program, the United States has had a long history of providing help to Vietnamese with disabilities without regard to the cause of their disability.  Since 1989, the American people have contributed more than $46 million to support Vietnamese with disabilities.  In 2008, the U.S. Government awarded three grants totaling $1 million and focused on the disabled population of Danang City. 

Under these grants persons with disabilities in seven districts of Danang will receive skills training and job placement, corrective surgery and prosthetic and orthopedic devices, and scholarships for children with disabilities.