As part of USAID’s special objective to address and overcome war legacies in Vietnam, USAID has pledged to continue providing assistance to persons with disabilities over the next five years in provinces heavily sprayed with Agent Orange during the war. From 2016 to 2020, USAID provided direct and indirect support (such as wheelchairs, crutches, home modification, and rehabilitation services) to tens of thousands of persons with disabilities, strengthened 62 medical rehabilitation units, and established professional training programs on occupational therapy and speech therapy in four medical universities in Vietnam.
On April 28, at the annual review meeting with national and provincial Government of Vietnam representatives, USAID shared priorities for continued assistance, including providing support to nearly 60,000 persons with disabilities to receive services, increase the ratio of rehabilitation practitioners to at least one per 20,000 people, improve social participation and support to persons with disabilities to gain representation in the policy making process, and improve disability policy implementation, such as physical access to public facilities.
USAID’s consistent support to persons with disabilities in Vietnam demonstrates the commitment of the United States to overcoming war legacies and improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities in Vietnam.