For the first time ever, a national five-year plan is being developed by the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to increase resources and support for millions of Vietnamese with disabilities. The US$26 million plan, which is expected to receive formal GVN approval in a few months, will be implemented from 2006-2010.
VNAH supported the preparation process with technical assistance to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) as part of the cooperative framework between the two parties.
The drafting process was initiated in early 2005 by an inter-agency team of 11 participating ministries and agencies led by the Department of Social Protection of MOLISA.
The plan, in addition to mobilizing resources and national coordination, promotes the mainstreaming of people with disabilities through national cross-sector programming, raising public awareness and providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
To provide technical assistance during the drafting process, VNAH has engaged Prof. Robert Metts of the University of California at Berkeley, USA, who is himself disabled and whose expertise in economics and disability is internationally renowned. VNAH also provided technical assistance and materials on international practices, and helped organize public consultations with organizations for disabled people, other disability stakeholders and government agencies. In addition, VNAH sponsored a survey conducted by MOLISA to collect baseline data on disability to support the drafting of the plan.
