USAID Deputy Mission Director Debra Mosel speaks at the project launch ceremony

The US Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded projects will be jointly carried out by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) and the Centre for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD).

They represent the USAID’s first projects aimed at countering wildlife trafficking to be directly awarded to local organisations in Vietnam.

Upon addressing the launching ceremony, Debra Mosel, deputy mission director of USAID, said, “The United States is a committed partner of Vietnam’s in countering wildlife trafficking and conserving biodiversity, in line with our two countries’ shared priorities under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Today, we advance our cooperation on this shared priority by launching these two new projects.”

Mosel said that the USAID prioritizes locally-led development as local leadership and ownership are essential for fostering sustainable results. In the nation, local organisations play an increasingly important role in environmental protection, specifically in nature and biodiversity conservation, as well as in the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking, she said.

Vietnam is currently ranked 14th in the world for biodiversity richness and the country is home to many rare and precious species. Unfortunately, many of them are on the brink of extinction due to the illegal wildlife trade, mainly as a result of demand for food, traditional medicine, and ornamental products.

The two USAID-funded projects, including Sustainable Wildlife Conservation project implemented by SVW, as well as the Conserving Threatened Species project implemented by CCD, will support Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve in Dong Nai province and Huong Son Special Use Forest in Hanoi. They will protect their biodiversity through improving capacities of their staff and applying Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) technology in forest patrolling and camera traps for wildlife surveillance.

The projects will also help to reduce demand for illegal wildlife products by raising public awareness, thereby empowering local communities and their leaders to help ensure the protection of these areas.

Since 2016, the US Government has provided US$27.8 million to Vietnam in support of efforts to counter wildlife trafficking, including strengthening law enforcement, reducing demand, and building international co-operation.