Vietnam Defense Ministry, USAID Discuss Post-war Recovery Cooperation

Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien met with USAID Director Aler Grubbs in Hanoi on October 4 to discuss cooperation in post-war recovery, local media reported.

During the meeting, Senior Lieutenant General Chien highlighted USAID’s increased funding, particularly the $130-million allocated for dioxin cleanup at Bien Hoa airport and additional aid for disabled individuals in provinces affected by Agent Orange.

He requested that USAID and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense continue implementing agreed-upon cooperation documents on post-war recovery, prioritizing resources to expedite dioxin cleanup at Bien Hoa airport, and enhancing projects supporting disabled individuals in eight provinces severely affected by Agent Orange.

For her part, Ms. Aler Grubbs commended the recent visits of Vietnam’s leaders to the U.S., noting the upcoming 30th anniversary of U.S.-Vietnam relations. She reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to further cooperation in post-war recovery, particularly in expanding disability support and enhancing the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

She stressed that these joint activities would further strengthen U.S.-Vietnam relations between the two defense ministries.

(QDND)