Hanoi, September 30, 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), donated 100 brand-new ventilators to Vietnam to support its ongoing response to COVID-19. The donation delivers on President Trump’s generous offer of these critically needed supplies, and supports Vietnam’s urgent response to the pandemic. The handover ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink, USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Michael Greene, Acting Minister of Health Dr. Nguyễn Thanh Long and National Lung Hospital Director Dr. Nguyễn Viết Nhung.

The ventilators, produced in the United States, reflect leading-edge and in-demand technology. They are compact, deployable, and provide Vietnam with flexibility in treating patients affected by the virus. For patients whose lungs are not working adequately despite receiving oxygen, this vital resource may prove life-saving.

“The world is impressed by Vietnam’s strategy and proactive measures in tackling COVID-19,” said Ambassador Kritenbrink, “but this serious disease remains a threat in Vietnam and the world. Building on the strong relationship between our countries over the last 25 years, the U.S. Government is pleased to support our friends in Vietnam with this donation of ventilators to fight the coronavirus.”

In addition to the ventilators, the U.S. Government, through USAID, has committed $9.5 million to Vietnam in response to the pandemic, which is helping to strengthen clinical care, disseminate health messages, build laboratory capacity, improve disease surveillance, as well as support private sector recovery by mitigating the impact of the pandemic on the Vietnamese economy.

For decades, the United States has been the world's largest provider of bilateral assistance in health. Since 2009, American taxpayers have generously funded more than $100 billion in health assistance and nearly $70 billion in humanitarian assistance worldwide. In Vietnam, over the past 20 years, the United States has invested more than $706 million in health assistance and more than $1.8 billion in total assistance.

Through an All-of-America approach, the United States is providing life-saving support by coordinating with the Government of Vietnam and other stakeholders to identify priority areas for investment. Because an infectious-disease threat anywhere can become a threat everywhere, the United States calls on other donors to contribute to the global effort to combat COVID-19.   

To view pictures of the handover event, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmR3nX6r and to view pictures of the arrival of the ventilators in Vietnam, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmQLqEQv.

For more information about USAID’s response to COVID-19, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/coronavirus-covid-19