VGP – A workshop took place in the Southern province of Dong Nai on Monday to discuss on a project to support disabled persons in seven localities exposed to Agent Orange. 

The event was jointly held by the Permanent Office of the National Steering Committee on Overcoming War Consequences of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Toxic Chemicals in Viet Nam (Office 701 in short) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Participants to the event included representatives from the Ministries of National Defense, Health, Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Planning and Investment and from beneficiary provinces like Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Binh Dinh, Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue, and Quang Tri.

Under the project, the USAID pledges to provide US$50 million to help strengthen medical treatment and rehabilitation capacity and improve livelihood of the disabled persons in these localities.

Christopher Abrams, Director of USAID Viet Nam Environment and Social Development Office said the project is continuation of the two countries’ cooperation in this area.

At present, Viet Nam is home to eight million disabled persons and the majority of them are war victims and members of poor households who are struggling to find jobs./.