Latest Foreign Assistance Briefs

- As many as 153 poor children in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang have received free medical check-ups provided by the U.S.-based Social Assistance Program for Vietnam (SAP-VN). The check-ups, conducted with the support of the Thai Nguyen Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Hospital on March 24-26, targeted children with defects affecting their limb movement and inborn deformities. Of the beneficiaries, 26 will be given free surgeries and the remainders will get involved in rehab training courses. (Vietnamplus.vn Mar 27)

- The International Crane Foundation has provided $120,000 in funds for the fourth phase (2013-2015) of the Phu My Lepironia Wetland Conservation Project. The project seeks to protect wetlands by combining nature conservation with improved incomes of local people. The Khmer ethnic minority people have long harvested lepironia, but only for simple and low-value products. The project provides skills training and equipment for the production of handicrafts and assists in marketing to national and international markets. In nearly 10 years of operation, it has provided training for 1,000 people and employed 50 full-time workers. (Vietnam News Mar 26)

- ACE Life Insurance Company Limited (ACE Life Vietnam) has committed VND2.2 billion to support construction of Quang Thanh No. 2 Primary School in Quang Dien Commune, Quang Dien District in Thua Thien-Hue Province. Through the Central Region Natural Disaster Prevention and Support Fund, ACE Life Vietnam has provided the money for the school, which got off the ground last week. This is the fourth school building project funded by the “Crossing Waves Fund”, which is ACE Life Vietnam’s corporate social responsibility program providing educational support to the community. (thesaigontimes.vn Mar 27)