Vietnam

Catholic Relief Services has worked in Vietnam since 1994 supporting education, emergency, agriculture and microfinance projects. Vietnam has a population of over 77 million; the majority of whom live in rural areas and are dependent on agriculture for a living.

Challenges in rural areas are numerous. Decades of conflict ending in 1990 have left infrastructure underdeveloped or in disrepair. Land is in increasingly scarce supply, and rural employment opportunities are limited. Access to employment or other income generating opportunities and many basic social services remain extremely limited. As a result urban migration is high, and the physical and social infrastructure of the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are unable to support the population increase.

Further, Vietnam has been plagued by natural disasters. In recent years, typhoons, flooding and drought have devastated communities throughout the country causing high loss of life and damage to infrastructure. In the longer term, these disasters are also causing a significant decline in agricultural production and incomes in many rural communities. These communities remain vulnerable, and with an extremely high incidence of disability in the country and weak support for integration into society, disabled children, adults and their families also face many challenges in Vietnam.