Vietnam concerned about US suspension of USAID operation
(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam is concerned about the US government's decision to suspend USAID operation, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated at a press conference in Hanoi on Thursday.
 Remediation of contaminated soil at Bien Hoa airport in December 2022. (Photo: USAID) |
Hang made the statement when talking about Vietnam's stance regarding the US's directive issued on February 4, requiring foreign non-governmental organizations receiving US funding including the State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to halt operations for 90 days. This decision affects numerous projects in Vietnam, particularly those focused on war legacy remediation.
She said over the years, Vietnam and the US have worked effectively across multiple sectors, including healthcare, environmental protection, climate change, disaster relief, and, most notably, post-war recovery efforts. US-funded projects have significantly improved living conditions in many Vietnamese provinces and cities.
The suspension of key aid programs, especially those focused on clearing unexploded ordnance, addressing explosive remnants of war, and remediating pollution at Bien Hoa Airport, poses serious risks to human safety and the environment in affected areas.