The United States Government and Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) on December 16 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a framework for implementing environmental health and remediation programs, with an overall objective to contribute to the enhanced quality of life of Vietnamese citizens by helping improve environmental, health, and social conditions, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi reported.

According to the U.S. embassy, the MOU outlines the coordination framework between the implementing agencies – MONRE’s Office of National Steering Committee 33 and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to the United States Ambassador to Vietnam, Michael Michalak, “this MOU marks an important milestone and a new level of commitment in working together to find new and innovative solutions to a complex problem.”

“The purpose of this MOU is to establish the framework for the cooperation between the Government of Vietnam and the United States to implement health and environment remediation activities relating to Agent Orange/Dioxin,” said Dr. Lai Minh Hien, Director of Office 33.

The MOU covers activities funded by $6 million in U.S. Congressional appropriations in 2007 and 2009. To date, the U.S. Government has financed projects for East Meets West Foundation, Save the Children, and Vietnam Assistance to the Handicapped to provide health, educational and social services to people with disabilities in Danang. This funding also supports work with other donors to help Danang Province gather more information about its disabled populations and develop programs to better meet their needs.

Part of the $6 million appropriations was awarded to CDM International in association with Hatfield Consultants to develop the engineering design and planning preparatory effort to develop the most environmentally sound engineering approach to dioxin containment at Danang Airport based on international standards and best engineering practices.

Since 2001, Vietnam and the United States have worked together to address issues related to dioxin contamination. In addition to the $6 million in Congressional appropriations, the United States has provided several millions of dollars worth of financial and technical assistance and supplied advanced analytical equipment to boost Vietnam’s capacity to respond to dioxin contamination and to develop joint health and environmental strategies.

(Source: VNA)