On November 16, USAID supported the National Council for Disabilities (NCD) and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) to review the 2012-2020 national action plan on disability support and launch the new 10-year disability action plan. The event took place in Dong Nai, one of the USAID priority provinces for disability support, and was attended by MOLISA Vice Minister and the Vice Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee, policy makers, disability service administrators, persons with disabilities, and supporters. USAID supported development of the previous national disability action plan (2012-2020) which has benefited millions of people with disabilities; mobilized around $14 million in Vietnamese Government funds (mostly for monthly cash allowances); and contributed $21 million and mobilized $5 million from international donors to develop Vietnam’s disability service system.

The NCD reported that public awareness has improved greatly, with most ministries and provinces having made annual action plans to support persons with disabilities. However, achievement of target results has varied due to lack of funding and implementation models at the sub-national level. NCD leadership is confident that implementation of the new action plan for 2021-2030 will be stronger as it is reinforced by a new resolution on disability support, and will include disability funding in other mainstream national target programs. 

So What? USAID disability activities were fundamental to the creation of national disability policies, such as the disability law, the current NCD (based on the U.S. NCD model), and a number of national action plans for disability support. USAID continues to support efforts that promote inclusion of disability priorities and mainstream funding into national target programs in order to create additional resources and services for Vietnamese with disabilities.