In Vietnam poverty has fallen from approximately 44 percent in 1990 to less than 12 percent in 2014, according to World Bank data. Concentrated areas of poverty still exist throughout the country in communities that are vulnerable or marginalized, including rural communities in the Central and Northern Highlands and Mekong Delta and urban poor. Our programs also assist underrepresented populations such as ethnic minority groups; women, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities; and people affected by natural disasters.
ASSISTANCE TO DISASTER VICTIMS
We assist families affected by natural disasters such as floods and typhoons, reduce vulnerability of urban communities through better disaster preparedness and mitigation, and improve the capacity of first responders and health care facilities to better manage emergencies and mass casualty events, with the aim of reducing mortality and increasing the survival rate of disaster victims.
Since 2000, USAID, through the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), has provided nearly $19 million in disaster response, preparedness and risk reduction assistance in Vietnam. USAID has also responded to annual disasters in Vietnam. USAID-supported disaster relief and mitigation efforts are closely coordinated with and directly support the Government of Vietnam’s relief efforts.
SUPPORT TO LGBT COMMUNITY
Although lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals are not criminalized in Vietnam, they face severe stigma and discrimination at the individual, family and community levels, which impedes their access to health and social services and at times negatively impacts their education and employment opportunities. USAID supported revisions to the revised Civil Code through its Governance for Inclusive Growth program, which provides new legal protections to transgender persons.
USAID recently concluded a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the Support to Strengthen LGBT Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Vietnam project by engaging CSOs working on LGBT issues, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA). The project enhanced the capacity of CSOs while reducing stigma and discrimination against LGBT people through awareness raising, psychosocial and legal support, and improving the legal environment for them in Vietnam. USAID expects to continue these efforts.
SUPPORT TO KEY POPULATION OF HIV
USAID awards to three local civil society organizations (CSOs) in 2014 have played a pivotal role in linking vulnerable populations to appropriate HIV services, including people who inject drugs (PWID), men who have sex with men (MSM), and female sex workers (FSW). In 2015, 29,829 key populations were reached, contributing not only to improved health services, but also to the development of a more robust civil society ready to address development challenges. The awards have also helped CSOs to have a voice in the national AIDS response.
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KEY GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM PARTNERS
- Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
- Ministry of Justice
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