Signing ceremony of memorandum of intent (Source: http://tgvn.com.vn)

Under the memorandum of intent signed on April 20, USAID and the Standing Office for the National Committee on the Settlement of Post-War Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Office 701) will coordinate with the Ministries of Public Health, and Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and local organisations in providing direct care, improving the capacity of rehabilitation services, and developing social services to better serve people with disabilities in the central provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam and Binh Dinh, and southern Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh provinces.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh said that over the past years, Vietnamese and US offices and organisations have worked closely in caring for people with disabilities who are victims of dioxin and toxic chemicals, thus helping boost the Vietnam-US relations.

He expressed his hope that after the signing ceremony, USAID and Office 701 will carry out specific projects to support more persons with disabilities in general and dioxin victims in particular.

Michael Greene, Mission Director for USAID Vietnam, said that USAID continues its support to persons with disabilities in Vietnam through eight projects which aim to expand rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities, increase social support, improve disability policies, and reduce environmental barriers.

The agency supports the development of local Disabled Persons Organisations and their advocacy efforts.

The signing of the memorandum of intent was witnessed by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, visiting US Senator Patrick Leahy, Vice Chairman of the US Committee on Appropriations and other US senators who are on the Vietnam visit.-VNA