Quang Tri: Closing Ceremony of RVCO Project 2018 - 2021

The ceremony was virtually attended by Ms. Ritu K. Tariyal, Director of Social Sector Development - USAID Vietnam, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Director of ACDC, and more than 40 officials from Department of Health, Department of Transport, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Construction, Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, Quang Tri Province Traditional Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital, Quang Tri Provincial Association of Persons with Disabilities and Agent Orange Victims, Sponsorship for Persons with Disabilities and Child Rights Protection, along with representatives from Municipal Organizations of Persons with Disability, source trainers of the project, and representatives of persons with disabilities.

Photo: Officials of the authorities attend the project closing ceremony in Quang Tri Province.

Mr. Thai Vinh Lieu, Head of Project Management Unit, presented a report on the implementation of 2018-2021 project activities. After that, Tariyal, Lan Anh, representatives of the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs and Department of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Ho Van Bon, a person with disability from Dakrong district, also made speeches at the ceremony. Additionally, a documentary video was shown to the audience, summarizing the 3-year project in Quang Tri Province.

In the event, the Organizing Committee also presented books entitled "Saying Yes to Change" about the success of the project and souvenirs to the Project Implementation Units. Besides, Quang Tri Provincial Association of Persons with Disabilities and Agent Orange Victims, Sponsorship for Persons with Disabilities and Child Rights Protection also awarded certificates of merit and recognized USAID’s support as well as other organizations and individuals contributing to the success of the project.

Photo: Tariyal, Director of Social Sector Development - USAID Vietnam, shares about the achievements of the RVCO project in Quang Tri Province.

The RVCO project was carried out in Quang Tri Province, Thua Thien Hue Province, and Quang Nam Province from 2018 to 2021. Its objective was to improve the implementation of policies for persons with disabilities, mostly focusing on physical access and health care. In Quang Tri Province, after 3 years of implementation, some practical works were built to support persons with disabilities such as: a transition house model, accessible buses, and accessible ramps in the workplace, public works and families. Various activities within the project were conducted, bringing about positive change in the perception of disability for stakeholders and persons with disabilities. After a short period of operation time, over 2,400 persons with disabilities and persons with disabilities’ families had access to valuable information, including disability-related policies, prevention of gender-based violence against persons with disabilities, reproductive health care for women with disabilities. The group of source trainers consisted of persons with disabilities who were competent to guide and run training workshops and inspire others to gain confidence and better integrate in society.

Lieu emphasized: Having been cooperating on many projects, we believe this project has successfully and effectively achieved practical outcomes for persons with disabilities the most. We acknowledge the support from USAID, ACDC and Project Management Unit during the past 3 years. The project not only helped and supported persons with disabilities but formed a group of qualified source trainers as well. It was also responsive to the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters that affected persons with disabilities. Therefore, we suggest the province continue to expand the project in the future.

Photo: Participants received certificates of merit from Quang Tri Provincial Association of Persons with Disabilities and Agent Orange Victims, Sponsorship for Persons with Disabilities and Child Rights Protection.

Ms. Le Thi Thuy Huong, representative of USAID, also stated: There is going to be a second phase of the project and USAID has been going through necessary formalities in order to soon implement it in the future. We are really pleased to hear that Quang Tri Province will replicate the model as mentioned in their report, which proves considerable autonomy and self-reliance of the local authorities.

As the RVCO project in Quang Tri Province for the period 2018 - 2021 has ended with many remarkable achievements, it is expected to provide comprehensive support for persons with disabilities in the province in the next phase.