UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE TO VIETNAM

Department of Defense Humanitarian Assistance (HA) Programs in Vietnam

The United States Department of Defense’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster and Civic Aid (OHDACA) programs constitute a pillar of U.S. military efforts to build cooperative relationships with both allies and friends, and to develop indigenous capabilities that promote regional stability.  By reaching out to stave off the consequences of disasters and to mitigate human suffering, the U.S. Government strives to demonstrate the depth of America’s compassion and generosity in a practical manner.  OHDACA programs include Foreign Disaster Relief and Emergency Response, Humanitarian Mine Action, and Humanitarian Assistance components.  

Since 2000, the U.S. Department of Defense has also supported a wide variety of OHDACA funded Humanitarian Assistance projects in Vietnam.  Through the United States Pacific Command, the U.S. Government has sponsored the construction of eight medical clinics in Thua Thien-Hue Province and a primary school in Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province, as well as two centers for disabled children in Dong Hoi Town and Quang Ninh District, Quang Binh Province.  Although funded by U.S Government donations, building materials are typically procured locally, and design and construction is carried out by local contractors.  Two additional Humanitarian Assistance  construction projects are currently underway: a medical clinic in Quang Ninh District, Quang Binh Province, and a 10-room primary school in Gio Viet Commune, Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province.  Both will be completed in July 2006 and turned over to the local people’s committees for immediate use.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency also manages an Excess Property Program, whereby the U.S. Department of Defense is authorized to donate and distribute serviceable property that is excess to its own needs.  This property may be transferred to foreign governments, charitable organizations, or to non-governmental organizations, and usually includes such items as clothing, furniture, medical supplies, school equipment, vehicles, tools and construction equipment.  In May 2006, the U.S. Department of Defense finalized the delivery of a donation of excess medical property to Lai Chau Province valued in excess of $100,000.  This is the third such donation of medical equipment to Vietnam with a total value in excess of $1.7 million.  In August 2000, an entire operating room suite valued at $1.1 million was donated to the Central Hospital of Thua Thien-Hue in Hue City, and in 2003, Can Tho General Hospital received a donation of medical equipment and consumable medical supplies valued in excess of $390,000.  In 2004, a fire truck was donated to the Ministry of Defense’s Center for Bomb and Mine Disposal Technology.     

OHDACA programs have also taken the form of cooperative efforts between U.S. and Vietnamese military personnel.  In June 2003, sixteen U.S. Navy medical personnel joined with Vietnamese Army doctors and nurses to conduct a three week long Blast Resuscitation and Victim Assistance clinic, a humanitarian assistance program that promotes host country relations by conducting medical education, training and patient care in the surgical management of injuries caused by explosive ordnance.  During outreach programs held at Military Hospital #103 and the National Institute for Burns in Hanoi, this joint medical team treated over one hundred patients and conducted over forty surgical operations, including several for victims of severe blast injuries.  Over $86,000 in materials and equipment were supplied by the U.S. Department of Defense to make this event possible.  In 2004, OHDACA also funded a conference at Vietnam’s Pasteur Institute to introduce an Early Warning Disease Outbreak Recognition System developed by U.S. Naval Research Medical Unit (NAMRU)-2.  Other OHDACA donations to Vietnam have included disaster assistance relief supplies to the victims of Typhoon Linda in 1997 and to the 1999 flood victims in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

In all, OHDACA programs have invested over $2 million to help meet the humanitarian needs of the Vietnamese people.  By providing early humanitarian assistance to localities with the most need, these projects aim to minimize the potential for crises to develop in the future.  In doing so, this assistance contributes to promoting regional stability and ensuring a safer world.  In the years to come, the United States hopes to expand OHDACA activities in Vietnam in order to encourage even greater cooperation and friendship between the American and Vietnamese people.