AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT MAKES 4 BILLION VND AVAILABLE FOR SMALL AID PROJECTS IN VIETNAM

HANOI - The Australian Government will provide approximately 4 billion VND for small-scale development projects in Vietnam through its Direct Aid Program (DAP) for 2010 – 2011.

Managed through the Australian Embassy in Hanoi and the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, DAP provides grants for small-scale development projects aimed at alleviating humanitarian hardship and advancing developmental outcomes in disadvantaged communities of Vietnam. DAP funding is available to individuals, community groups, NGOs, academic institutions, libraries, museums, and other organisations engaged in development activities in Vietnam on a not for profit basis.

The Australian Embassy is responsible for DAP projects north of, and including, Thua Thien Hue Province. The Australia Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City manages a DAP scheme for projects south of, and including, Danang City.

A strong proponent of the DAP program, Australian Ambassador Allaster Cox encouraged interested communities to apply for DAP funding. “DAP allows the Australian Embassy to provide practical and effective support to regional communities in northern Vietnam across a range of issues such as education, health, disabilities and sanitation,” he said.

In 2009, the Australian Embassy supported 11 projects across seven provinces across northern Vietnam: Hue, Quang Binh, Ha Nam, Phu Tho, Lang Son, Thai Binh and Hanoi. The Australian Consulate General supported 19 projects throughout southern Vietnam.

The Australian Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr Graeme Swift said, “We are very pleased to support the long standing work of provincial People's Committees, non-government organisations, community organisations, as well as local hospitals and schools in assisting low income and disadvantaged communities. DAP is an impressive example of the cooperation that can develop from the strong people- to- people links that exist between Vietnam and Australia."

DAP funding is in addition to Australia’s significant bilateral aid program for Vietnam. Australia will provide an estimated AUD120 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Vietnam in the 2010-2011 financial year.

DAP guidelines and application forms may be obtained from the Australian Embassy website at http://www.vietnam.embassy.gov.au/hnoi/cooperation.html or from the Australian Embassy in Hanoi or the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Applications from Da Nang south must be sent to the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and applications from Hue to the north must be sent to the Australian Embassy in Hanoi. All applications must be received by 5.00pm on 29 October 2010.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Nguyen Thi Ha Giang
DAP Administrator
Australian Embassy in Hanoi
Tel. 04-37740220
Email: [email protected]

Or

Ms Le Cat
DAP Administrator
Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City
Tel : 08-3521 8100
Email : [email protected]