The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the European Union (EU) have pledged up to $1 billion over the next 6 years to help Vietnam improve state governance, healthcare, social welfare, and agent orange/dioxin treatment, reports Tuoi Tre.

“The EU said last Wednesday that it will supply funding worth 400 million euros ($550 million) from now until 2020, up 100 euros (nearly $140 million) compared to the 2007-2013 period,” according to the newspaper. 

David O'Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service, noted that even though the organization has reduced assistance to other countries as the EU continues its economic recovery, it has increased their commitment to Vietnam.

On the USAID side:

“[USAID] will arrange a budget of at least $344 million for the implementation of three objectives in many areas in Vietnam from 2014 to 2018.

As planned, it will allocate $86 million to strengthen state governance for sustainable growth, with many activities to be conducted to support trade and competitiveness, capacity building, and improve higher education.”

USAID has also dedicated $239 million for improving the healthcare and social welfare systems, including: the prevention and treatment of avian influenza and HIV/AIDS; assisting people with disabilities; helping to empower women; and the mitigation of climate change.

$19 million will be spent on agent orange/dioxin cleanup at Da Nang Airport and an environmental assessment for future agent orange/dioxin detoxification at Bien Hoa Airport.

Joakim Parker, USAID mission director in Vietnam, said that additional funding will be directed into economic sectors to ensure that the country can implement reforms necessary to fulfill commitments following the TPP agreement (assuming it goes through).

[Tuoi Tre // Photo via pacificairforces]