The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Air Defence – Air Force Service under the Vietnamese Defence Ministry signed an agreement on non-refundable aid for a project on dioxin remediation in the Bien Hoa airport in Hanoi on May 11^th.

Michael Greene, Mission Director for USAID/Vietnam, and Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh, Commander of the Air Defence – Air Force Service, inked the document to start the plan making process for the work.

Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh, Commander of the Air Defence – Air Force Service (R) and Michael Greene, Mission Director for USAID/Vietnam inked the document to start a project on dioxin remediation in the Bien Hoa airport. (Photo: Trung Thanh)

Bien Hoa Airport in Bien Hoa city, the southern province of Dong Nai, is considered as one of the dioxin hot spots in the country due to its high level of the chemical. According to assessments of Vietnam and the U.S., some 500,000 cu.m of dioxin contaminated land in the airport needs to be treated, requiring a large amount of capital and technology. The successful dioxin decontamination in this area will contribute to reducing risks of dioxin exposure and affecting human health.

The project, estimated to cost USD 390 million, will complete within 10 years. The U.S. side vowed to collaborate with Vietnam and its Defence Ministry in addressing war consequences while continuing to foster bilateral economic, cultural and security relations.

Since 2000, the U.S. has cooperated with Vietnam in dealing with humanitarian issues and war legacies, including removing post-war unexploded ordnances, identifying remains of servicemen missing in action and treating dioxin.

By the end of 2018, USAID and the Vietnamese Defence Ministry will complete a six-year project worth USD 110 million on dioxin decontamination in the Da Nang International Airport./.

VNF/VNA