The program was first announced during President Joseph Biden's September 2023 visit to Viet Nam.

Addressing the event, Aler Grubbs, USAID/Vietnam Mission Director shared, our cooperation to overcome the legacies of war has been foundational for building trust, demonstrating our commitment, and advancing the relationship between the U.S. and Viet Nam to what is now a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The launch of the program for persons with disabilities in Bac Lieu delivers on the two countries' shared priorities and support for a strong, resilient, prosperous, independent Viet Nam, she emphasized.

USAID is launching its Disabilities Rights Enforcement, Coordination, and Therapies project in Bac Lieu.

The project supports the enforcement of disability laws, expansion of rehabilitation services and livelihood support to persons with disabilities, and improvement in early childhood disability detection.

The US$1.15 million project is implemented by long-time USAID partner, Viet Nam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH), and runs from 2023 to October 2025.

Through the U.S. Leahy War Victims Fund, USAID has worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Viet Nam since 1991.

The U.S. assistance has addressed medical and social needs, improved disability policies, and reduced physical and social barriers.

To date, the U.S. Government has contributed through USAID more than US$155 million in assistance to persons with disabilities in Viet Nam./.