Thua Thien Hue: Announcement Ceremony for Projects supporting persons with disabilities

On January 13, 2022, Thua Thien Hue’s Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs cooperated with Action to the Community Development Institute (ACDC) and Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP) in organizing an online announcement ceremony for two projects assisting persons with disabilities in Thua Thien Hue.

In Hanoi, there were important representatives including Mr. Bryan Moody – Deputy Director of USAID’s Acquisition and Assistance Office, Mr. James Gilman – Acting Director of USAID’s Reconciliation and Inclusive Development Office, Mr. Doan Quoc Hung – Deputy Head of Project Management Board - National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET)/Ministry of Defence, Mr. Tran Hung Minh – Director of CCIHP – Director of Project INCLUSION-I, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh – Director of ACDC – Director of Project “Raising voices, creating opportunities-II”, and other related organizations’ officers. Whilst in Thua Thien Hue, Mr. Ho Dan – Deputy Director of Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs hosted the event, together with the attendance of representatives from local departments and organizations such as the Department of Transport; Department of Construction; Department of Foreign Affairs; Department of Justice; Department of Finance; Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; Organizations of Persons with Disabilities; District Health Center; organizations of and for persons with disabilities; clubs for persons with disabilities; news agencies and so forth.

Mr. Bryan Moody - Deputy Director of USAID’s

On behalf of USAID, Mr. Bryan Moody – Deputy Director of USAID’s Acquisition and Assistance Office announced the awards of “Inclusion-I” to the Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP) and “Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities – II” (RVCO-II) to Action to the Community Development Institute (ACDC). He said:  Together with other existing disability projects, these two awards will contribute to USAID’s Disability Program goals for ‘improved quality of life of persons with disabilities in Vietnam’ in general and in particular Thua Thien Hue. The Inclusion-I Project will focus on improving access to rehabilitation services, social support services, and developing an enabling environment for persons with disabilities. The RVCO-II Project will support the revision of selected law and policies that facilitate independent living and full integration into society of persons with disabilities, as well as continue to support persons with disabilities together with their organizations and local counterparts for the improvement of local capacity on policy implementation on issues related to disability rights, physical accessibility, gender-based violence, legal aid, and monitoring policy implementation at the local level.

Mr. James Gilman - Acting Director of USAID’s

In addition, Mr. James Gilman – Acting Director of USAID’s Reconciliation and Inclusive Development Office shared: Thua Thien Hue has been an important partner of the U.S. Government.  Hue was among the first provinces in Vietnam with which the USAID Disability Program worked, including on supportive devices assistance, inclusive education, vocational training, and employment for children and persons with disabilities. INCLUSION-I represents a concerted effort by USAID to partner with local organizations as primary implementers, reinforcing USAID’s objective to work with the Government of Vietnam and local partners to achieve sustainable results. Under the Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities II project, ACDC and its partners expect to continue generating positive changes in awareness and attitudes towards persons with disabilities, and strengthening institutions and policies to remove barriers to inclusion of persons with disabilities. Key interventions will include improving physical accessibility, access to healthcare and other social services, facilitating engagement in social life, and advocating for disability equity and disability rights.

Mr. Ho Dan - Deputy Director of Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs

On behalf of the People’s Committee, Mr. Ho Dan – Deputy Director of Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs stressed: We have determined that assisting persons with disabilities, Agent Orange victims and improving the environment are one of the central concerns of the province. In the coming time, Thua Thien Hue would like to propose that USAID and stakeholders continue to support the province to have more projects/programs, together with the resources of the Central, local and other organizations and individuals to meet the accessibility needs for all persons with disabilities in Thua Thien Hue. The province will accompany and create the most favorable conditions for projects to be implemented effectively.

At the end of the ceremony, Mr. Ho Dan appreciated the cooperation of the parties involved in two projects to assist persons with disabilities in the province supported by USAID. He hoped that related departments, units, districts, towns and cities will enhance close coordination with the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs as well as strengthen information sharing and coordinate in decision-making to ensure the project's goals, also meet the needs of the province, of persons with disabilities and the requirements of USAID.