From 13-15 March, the Australian Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City, John McAnulty paid official calls on the People’s Committees of the Mekong delta provinces of Vinh Long, An Giang, Dong Thap and Can Tho and visited three Direct Aid Program (DAP) projects.
The funding of VND730 million (around AUD33,000) was provided by the Australian Government, through the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City.
The projects range from building houses for human trafficking survivors to providing bathrooms, water jars and latrines for disadvantaged households.
In the financial year 2011-12, the Australian Government has provided DAP funding of AUD145,000 to 15 projects in southern Vietnam.
This funding provided assistance across a range of areas, including community health, education and small-scale infrastructure projects.
The Australian Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City, John McAnulty said, “DAP is an impressive example of the cooperation that can develop from the strong people to people links that exist between Vietnam and Australia. This annual program strengthens Australia’s commitment to partner with Vietnam for development purposes. "
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small aid program funded by the Australian Government and disbursed by the Australian Consulate-General. The goal of the DAP is to address humanitarian hardship and assist low income communities through funding small-scale development projects.