DATE: 6 March 2009
Australian Embassy helps the poor and the disadvantaged in Vietnam via Direct Aid Program
HUE CITY – The Australian Government has announced over 1 billion VND funding for ten community development projects under the 2009 Direct Aid Program (DAP). The ten projects will bring direct benefits to seven provinces: Dien Bien, Son La, Bac Kan, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen and Hanoi.The announcement was made by the Australian Ambassador, HE Mr Allaster Cox, during a visit to an DAP-sponsored project in Vi Da Ward, Hue City funded in 2008.
Ambassador Cox said the ten new projects would provide “real assistance to local communities in Vietnam, helping them across a range of issues such as education, agriculture, environment, disabilities and HIV/AIDS.”
In 2008, the Australian Government supported twelve projects across fourteen provinces, including a drainage system upgrade project in Vi Da Ward in Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province. Inhabitants in three communes in Vi Da Ward are now enjoying cleaner living condition thanks to the DAP-sponsored upgrade.
In Vi Da Ward, Ambassador Cox said the project “was proof of how carefully targeted amounts of money, administered with the help of local organisations, can make a real difference to ordinary Vietnamese people.” He commended the People’s Committee of Vi Da Ward for their initiative in applying for DAP funding.
Managed through the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, DAP provides grants for small-scale development projects aimed at alleviating humanitarian hardship in disadvantaged communities of Vietnam. DAP funding is available to individuals, local government bodies and non-governmental organisations engaged in development activities in Vietnam on a not-for-profit basis.
DAP funding is in addition to Australia’s significant bilateral aid program for Vietnam. Australia will provide an estimated AUD 104 million in Official Development Assistance to Vietnam between July 2008 and June 2009.