The statement was made at a meeting between Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock on August 3 in Hanoi.

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During the event

During the ceremony, General Chien complimented and highly valued USAID for its outstanding efforts in collaborating with relevant units under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to properly address the country's aftermath of war-left explosives and mines. He also highlighted the successful implementation of the dioxin detoxification project at Da Nang Airport (completed in 2018) and initial implementation of the first phase of a project to resolve dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Airport.

Meanwhile, the two sides cooperated on a project to enhance the living quality of people with disabilities living in areas heavily affected with Argent Orange (AO)/dioxin in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Prime Minister authorized an investment policy and signed a cooperation agreement in the fields of UXO clearance and dioxin detoxification.

The Vietnamese deputy defense minister and USAID/Vietnam mission director during the event agreed that in the coming time, the two sides would coordinate to accelerate the process of overcoming the consequences of war-left toxic chemicals in Vietnam, with a focus on mobilizing resources to complete the first phase of the dioxin cleanup project at Bien Hoa Airport.

In addition, they will also work together to improve AO/dioxin victims’ living conditions while efficiently disseminating information about Vietnam-U.S. cooperation in overcoming war consequences, among others.

Translated by Minh Anh