Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
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Founded in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) is a humanitarian organization that addresses consequences of war through programs of advocacy and service in Vietnam.
UXO/Landmines
VVAF gets grants from the Department of State and other organizations to conduct landmine clearance projects in Vietnam with Technology Centre for Bomb and Mine Disposal Engineering Command (BOMICEN). In late March 2009, Country Representative Thao Griffiths visited the
12th Annual Meeting for National Mine Action Program Directors and UN Advisors in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference,
which serves as an annual meeting ground for mine action stakeholders get together to discuss issues related to landmines around the world,
marked the first time a representative from VVAF was present at the meeting.
Report: Land Mine Contamination Vast in Vietnam, Associated Press, July 31, 2009
Commencing in January 2006, with a pilot project in two provinces, Khanh Hoa and Danang, VVAF and our project partners carried out a survey to collect information about the prevalence and burden of the most common mental disorders (CMD) and information about individual and family affected by mental health problems, as well as the available mental health services. The survey data showed many gaps between the needs and the supply in mental health care.
From January 2009, partnering with Provincial Health Services, Provincial Psychiatrist Hospitals, and Ministry of Health, VVAF has been working in the second phase of the project in Da Nang and Khanh Hoa. The aim over three years is to identify solutions to the most urgent issues identified in the survey by introducing a more holistic approach to address the mental health care services.
| Khanh Hoa Programs | Da Nang Programs |
From 1962 through 1971 an estimated 72 million liters of herbicide were sprayed over Vietnam in areas south of the former demilitarized zone along the 17th parallel. Up to now, Vietnamese and international organizations continue to research the long-term impact of herbicide use, in relation to both public health and the environment. As this research continues, tens of thousands of people living in and around “hotspot” areas -- generally those areas around air bases where the substance was stored, used heavily to control vegetation around the perimeter of airbases and loaded onto aircraft -- continue to be exposed to dioxin and remain at risk of contracting illnesses and disabilities, and/or passing them to future generations. In addition, veterans and others exposed to dioxin during the war, legacy victims, continue to suffer consequences in non-hotspot areas throughout Vietnam. More than thirty years after the American war ended, dioxin remains a major threat to public health in Vietnam.
Flower and Vegetable Planting in Ninh Binh
With a grant from Boeing for the period of 2009 through 2010, VVAF is implementing the project of upgrading and constructing the No.3 Primary School,
Muong phang Commune, in the Dien Bien district and the Hai Hung Primary school in the Hai Hau district, Nam Dinh province.
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