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      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam ",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a significant bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2020, Congress appropriated nearly $333 million to address these two issues. This includes $45 million in Department of Defense funds transferred to the Secretary of State, for use by the U.S. Agency for International Development, for the dioxin clean-up at the Bien Hoa airbase. \nMost of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for the environmental remediation of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. Following completion of the Danang project in 2017, much of the funds have been obligated for preparatory work on the environmental remediation of the Bien Hoa airbase. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always, in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID. \nIn November 2017, the United States and Vietnam completed the environmental remediation of approximately 90,000 cubic meters (118,000 cubic yards) of contaminated soil and 60,000 cubic meters (78,000 cubic yards) of lower risk materials at Danang airport by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD). Restoration and project closure operations were completed in November 2018. The project took six years, with an estimated overall cost of $116 million, which was twice as long and three times more expensive than originally projected.\nField studies have identified a number of other areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. In January 2018, U.S. and Vietnamese governments signed a memorandum of intent (MOI) to begin the cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport. According to a USAID study, the environmental cleanup of Bien Hoa airport could cost an estimated $137 million to $794 million, depending on what form of remediation is used. \nAs of November 2019, USAID had obligated 88% of the $197 million appropriated for FY2011-FY2019 for environmental remediation projects, and 75% of the $66.8 million appropriated for FY2011-FY2019 for health and disability services. As of April 2020, the Trump Administration had not released its proposed FY2021 funding levels for environmental remediation and disability assistance in Vietnam.\nTwo additional issues Congress may consider are whether to fund remediation projects at additional \u201chot spots\u201d and whether to require the provision of health care and support for Vietnamese nationals with medical conditions and disabilities associated with exposure to Agent Orange/dioxin. The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 326) would require the Secretary of State to provide assistance to individuals in Vietnam with health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as \u201cto institutions in Vietnam that provide health care for covered individuals.\u201d The act would also require the Secretary of State to provide assistance \u201cto remediate those geographic areas of Vietnam that the Secretary determines contain high levels of Agent Orange.\u201d",
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      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam ",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a significant bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2020, Congress appropriated nearly $333 million to address these two issues. This includes $45 million in Department of Defense funds transferred to the Secretary of State, for use by the U.S. Agency for International Development, for the dioxin clean-up at the Bien Hoa airbase. \nMost of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for the environmental remediation of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. Following completion of the Danang project in 2017, much of the funds have been obligated for preparatory work on the environmental remediation of the Bien Hoa airbase. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always, in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID. \nIn November 2017, the United States and Vietnam completed the environmental remediation of approximately 90,000 cubic meters (118,000 cubic yards) of contaminated soil and 60,000 cubic meters (78,000 cubic yards) of lower risk materials at Danang airport by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD). Restoration and project closure operations were completed in November 2018. The project took six years, with an estimated overall cost of $116 million, which was twice as long and three times more expensive than originally projected.\nField studies have identified a number of other areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. In January 2018, U.S. and Vietnamese governments signed a memorandum of intent (MOI) to begin the cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport. According to a USAID study, the environmental cleanup of Bien Hoa airport could cost an estimated $137 million to $794 million, depending on what form of remediation is used. \nAs of November 2019, USAID had obligated 88% of the $197 million appropriated for FY2011-FY2019 for environmental remediation projects, and 75% of the $66.8 million appropriated for FY2011-FY2019 for health and disability services. As of April 2020, the Trump Administration had not released its proposed FY2021 funding levels for environmental remediation and disability assistance in Vietnam.\nTwo additional issues Congress may consider are whether to fund remediation projects at additional \u201chot spots\u201d and whether to require the provision of health care and support for Vietnamese nationals with medical conditions and disabilities associated with exposure to Agent Orange/dioxin. The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 326) would require the Secretary of State to provide assistance to individuals in Vietnam with health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as \u201cto institutions in Vietnam that provide health care for covered individuals.\u201d The act would also require the Secretary of State to provide assistance \u201cto remediate those geographic areas of Vietnam that the Secretary determines contain high levels of Agent Orange.\u201d",
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      "date": "2019-02-21",
      "retrieved": "2019-12-20T19:57:32.301452",
      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam ",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a major bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2019, Congress appropriated nearly $255 million to address these two issues. In addition, the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (P.L. 115-232) authorized the transfer of up to $15 million to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the dioxin cleanup of the Bien Hoa Airbase. \nMost of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for the environmental cleanup of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID. \nIn November 2017, the United States and Vietnam completed the environmental remediation of approximately 90,000 cubic meters (118,000 cubic yards) of contaminated soil and 60,000 cubic meters (78,000 cubic yards) of lower risk materials at Danang airport by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD). Restoration and project closure operations were completed in November 2018. The project took six years, with an estimated overall cost of $116 million.\nField studies have identified a number of other areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. In January 2018, U.S. and Vietnamese governments signed a memorandum of intent (MOI) to begin the cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport. According to a USAID study, the environmental cleanup of Bien Hoa airport could cost an estimated $137 million to $794 million, depending on what form of remediation is used. \nThe provision of health-related assistance to areas contaminated with Agent Orange/dioxin has raised questions about how USAID has utilized appropriated funds. By May 2017, USAID had obligated less than two-thirds of the appropriated funds for FY2011-FY2017. The funds have generally been used for disability assistance programs regardless of the cause of the disability, rather than for both health and disability programs targeting populations residing near Agent Orange/dioxin \u201chot spots.\u201d \nWhile the obligations for environmental remediation activities generally have not been a matter of congressional concern, how USAID has obligated appropriations for health and disability activities has drawn some attention. \nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6) appropriated \u201cnot less than $20 million\u201d for environmental remediation and \u201cnot less than $12.5 million ... for health and disability programs in areas sprayed with Agent Orange and otherwise contaminated with dioxin.\u201d The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 326) would require the Secretary of State to provide assistance to individuals in Vietnam with health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as \u201cto institutions in Vietnam that provide health care for covered individuals.\u201d The act would also require the Secretary of State to provide assistance \u201cto remediate those geographic areas of Vietnam that the Secretary determines contain high levels of Agent Orange.\u201d",
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      "date": "2018-11-09",
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      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam ",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a major bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2018, Congress appropriated over $222 million to address these two issues. In addition, the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (P.L. 115-232) authorized the transfer of up to $15 million to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the dioxin cleanup of the Bien Hoa Airbase. \nMost of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for the environmental cleanup of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID. \nIn November 2017, the United States and Vietnam completed the environmental remediation of approximately 90,000 cubic meters (118,000 cubic yards) of contaminated soil and 60,000 cubic meters (78,000 cubic yards) of lower risk materials at Danang airport by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD). Restoration and project closure operations were completed in November 2018. The project took six years, with an estimated overall cost of $116 million.\nField studies have identified a number of other areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. In January 2018, U.S. and Vietnamese governments signed a memorandum of intent (MOI) to begin the cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport. According to a USAID study, the environmental cleanup of Bien Hoa airport could cost an estimated $137 million to $794 million, depending on what form of remediation is used. \nThe provision of health-related assistance to areas contaminated with Agent Orange/dioxin has raised questions about how USAID has utilized appropriated funds. By May 2017, USAID had obligated less than two-thirds of the appropriated funds for FY2011-FY2017. The funds have generally been used for disability assistance programs regardless of the cause of the disability, rather than for both health and disability programs targeting populations residing near Agent Orange/dioxin \u201chot spots.\u201d \nWhile the obligations for environmental remediation activities generally have not been a matter of congressional concern, how USAID has obligated appropriations for health and disability activities has drawn some attention. \nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) appropriated \u201cnot less than $20 million\u201d for environmental remediation and \u201cnot less than $10 million ... for health and disability programs in areas sprayed with Agent Orange and otherwise contaminated with dioxin.\u201d The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2017 (H.R. 334) would require the Secretary of State to provide assistance to individuals in Vietnam with health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as \u201cto institutions in Vietnam that provide health care for covered individuals.\u201d The act would also require the Secretary of State to provide assistance \u201cto remediate those geographic areas of Vietnam that the Secretary determines contain high levels of Agent Orange.\u201d",
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      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam ",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a major bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2018, Congress appropriated over $222 million to address these two issues. In addition, the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (P.L. 115-232) authorized the transfer of up to $15 million to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the dioxin cleanup of the Bien Hoa Airbase. \nMost of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for the environmental cleanup of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID. \nIn November 2017, the United States and Vietnam completed the environmental remediation of approximately 90,000 cubic meters (118,000 cubic yards) of contaminated soil and 60,000 cubic meters (78,000 cubic yards) of lower risk materials at Danang airport by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD). Restoration and project closure operations continue at the airport. The project took five years to complete at an estimated overall cost of $116 million.\nField studies have identified a number of other areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. In January 2018, U.S. and Vietnamese governments signed a memorandum of intent (MOI) to begin the cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport. According to a USAID study, the environmental cleanup of Bien Hoa airport could cost an estimated $137 million to $794 million, depending on what form of remediation is used. \nThe provision of health-related assistance to areas contaminated with Agent Orange/dioxin has raised questions about how USAID has utilized appropriated funds. By May 2017, USAID had obligated less than two-thirds of the appropriated funds for FY2011-FY2017. The funds have generally been used for disability assistance programs regardless of the cause of the disability, rather than for both health and disability programs targeting populations residing near Agent Orange/dioxin \u201chot spots.\u201d \nWhile the obligations for environmental remediation activities generally have not been a matter of congressional concern, how USAID has obligated appropriations for health and disability activities has drawn some attention. \nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) appropriated \u201cnot less than $20 million\u201d for environmental remediation and \u201cnot less than $10 million ... for health and disability programs in areas sprayed with Agent Orange and otherwise contaminated with dioxin.\u201d The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2017 (H.R. 334) would require the Secretary of State to provide assistance to individuals in Vietnam with health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as \u201cto institutions in Vietnam that provide health care for covered individuals.\u201d The act would also require the Secretary of State to provide assistance \u201cto remediate those geographic areas of Vietnam that the Secretary determines contain high levels of Agent Orange.\u201d",
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      "retrieved": "2018-06-12T14:11:50.632668",
      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam ",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a major bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2018, Congress appropriated over $222 million to address these two issues. \nMost of the appropriated funds have been used by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the environmental cleanup of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID. \nIn November 2017, the United States and Vietnam completed the environmental remediation of approximately 90,000 cubic meters (118,000 cubic yards) of contaminated soil and 60,000 cubic meters (78,000 cubic yards) of lower risk materials at Danang airport by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD). Restoration and project closure operations continue at the airport. The project took five years to complete at an estimated overall cost of $116 million.\nField studies have identified a number of other areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. In January 2018, U.S. and Vietnamese governments signed a memorandum of intent (MOI) to begin the cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport. According to a USAID study, the environmental cleanup of Bien Hoa airport could cost an estimated $137 million to $794 million, depending on what form of remediation is used. \nThe provision of health-related assistance to areas contaminated with Agent Orange/dioxin has raised questions about how USAID has utilized appropriated funds. By May 2017, USAID had obligated less than two-thirds of the appropriated funds for FY2011-FY2017. The funds have generally been used for disability assistance programs regardless of the cause of the disability, rather than for both health and disability programs targeting populations residing near Agent Orange/dioxin \u201chot spots.\u201d \nWhile the obligations for environmental remediation activities generally have not been a matter of congressional concern, how USAID has obligated appropriations for health and disability activities has drawn some attention. \nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 () appropriated \u201cnot less than $20 million\u201d for environmental remediation and \u201cnot less than $10 million ... for health and disability programs in areas sprayed with Agent Orange and otherwise contaminated with dioxin.\u201d The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2017 (H.R. 334) would require the Secretary of State to provide assistance to individuals in Vietnam with health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as \u201cto institutions in Vietnam that provide health care for covered individuals.\u201d The act would also require the Secretary of State to provide assistance \u201cto remediate those geographic areas of Vietnam that the Secretary determines contain high levels of Agent Orange.\u201d",
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          "id": 4931,
          "name": "South & Southeast Asia"
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    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 461093,
      "date": "2017-05-10",
      "retrieved": "2017-08-22T14:50:27.877946",
      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a major bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2017, Congress appropriated over $192 million to address these two issues. \nMost of the appropriated funds have been used by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the environmental cleanup of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID.\nAccording to USAID projections, the environmental remediation of Danang airport currently under way by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD) will be completed in mid-2017 at an estimated cost of nearly $95 million. This is almost $60 million higher than the original projected cost of the project. According to USAID, it has fully obligated those funds Congress has appropriated for environmental remediation assistance to Vietnam up to FY2015, and has partially obligated FY2016 assistance.\nThe provision of health-related assistance to areas contaminated with Agent Orange/dioxin has raised more issues. By October 2016, USAID had obligated about two-thirds of the appropriated funds for FY2010-FY2016. In addition, the funds have generally been used for disability assistance programs regardless of the cause of the disability, rather than for both health and disability programs targeting populations residing near Agent Orange/dioxin \u201chot spots.\u201d \nField studies have identified a number of areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. The U.S. and Vietnamese governments are jointly assessing the possibility of undertaking the cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport. According to a USAID study, the environmental cleanup of Bien Hoa airport could cost an estimated $137 million to $794 million, depending on what form of remediation is used. \nWhile the obligations for environmental remediation activities generally have not been a matter of congressional concern, how USAID has obligated appropriations for health and disability activities has drawn some attention. \nThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) appropriated \u201cnot less than $20 million\u201d for environmental remediation and \u201cnot less than $10 million ... for health and disability programs in areas sprayed with Agent Orange and otherwise contaminated with dioxin.\u201d The act permits, for the first time since the United States has funded dioxin environmental remediation in Vietnam, the provision of assistance to the Government of Vietnam. The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2017 (H.R. 334) would require the Secretary of State to provide assistance to individuals in Vietnam with health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as \u201cto institutions in Vietnam that provide health care for covered individuals.\u201d The act would also require the Secretary of State to provide assistance \u201cto remediate those geographic areas of Vietnam that the Secretary determines contain high levels of Agent Orange.\u201d",
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4931,
          "name": "South & Southeast Asia"
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    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 460100,
      "date": "2017-03-27",
      "retrieved": "2017-03-31T18:55:41.790095",
      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a major bilateral issue. Between fiscal years (FY) 2007 and 2016, Congress appropriated over $162 million to address these two issues. \nMost of the appropriated funds have been used by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the environmental cleanup of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID.\nAccording to USAID projections, the environmental remediation of Danang airport currently under way by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD) will be completed in mid-2017 at an estimated cost of nearly $95 million. This is almost $60 million higher than the original projected cost of the project. According to USAID, it has fully obligated those funds Congress has appropriated for environmental remediation assistance to Vietnam up to FY2015, and has partially obligated FY2016 assistance.\nThe provision of health-related assistance to areas contaminated with Agent Orange/dioxin has raised more issues. By October 2016, USAID had obligated about two-thirds of the appropriated funds for FY2010-FY2016. In addition, the funds have generally been used for disability assistance programs regardless of the cause of the disability, rather than for both health and disability programs targeting populations residing near Agent Orange/dioxin \u201chot spots.\u201d \nField studies have identified a number of areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. The U.S. and Vietnamese governments are jointly assessing the possibility of undertaking the cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport. According to a USAID study, the environmental cleanup of Bien Hoa airport could cost an estimated $137 million to $794 million, depending on what form of remediation is used. \nWhile the obligations for environmental remediation activities generally have not been a matter of congressional concern, how USAID has obligated appropriations for health and disability activities has drawn some attention. \nFor FY2017, the Obama Administration requested $10 million under the Economic Support Fund (ESF) to continue the IPTD project at Danang airport and $5 million of Development Assistance (DA) funding for \u201csocial and economic services and protection for vulnerable populations.\u201d The Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 114-254) permitted the continuation of Agent Orange-related assistance to Vietnam at the same levels set in FY2016 until April 28, 2017. The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2017 (H.R. 334) would require the Secretary of State to provide assistance to individuals in Vietnam with health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange, as well as \u201cto institutions in Vietnam that provide health care for covered individuals.\u201d The act would also would require the Secretary of State to provide assistance \u201cto remediate those geographic areas of Vietnam that the Secretary determines contain high levels of Agent Orange.\u201d",
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          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4931,
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    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 457378,
      "date": "2016-12-01",
      "retrieved": "2016-12-09T19:08:34.744156",
      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a major issue in bilateral relations. Since 2007, Congress has appropriated over $162 million to address these two issues. Starting in FY2011, Congress has appropriated separate amounts for environmental remediation and for health and disability activities in areas of Vietnam that were targeted with Agent Orange or remain contaminated with dioxin.\nMost of the appropriated funds have been used by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the environmental cleanup of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin-contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID.\nAccording to USAID projections, the environmental remediation of Danang airport currently under way by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD) will be completed in mid-2017 at an estimated cost of nearly $95 million. This is almost $60 million higher than the original projected cost of the project. USAID has fully obligated those funds Congress has appropriated for environmental remediation assistance to Vietnam up to FY2015, and has partially obligated FY2016 assistance.\nThe provision of health-related assistance to areas contaminated with Agent Orange/dioxin has raised more issues. By October 2016, USAID had obligated about two-thirds of the appropriated funds for FY2010-FY2016. In addition, the funds have generally been used for disability assistance programs regardless of the cause of the disability, rather than for both health and disability programs targeting populations residing near Agent Orange/dioxin \u201chot spots.\u201d \nField studies have identified a number of areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. The U.S. and Vietnamese governments are jointly assessing the possibility of undertaking the cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport. According to a USAID study, the environmental cleanup of Bien Hoa airport could cost an estimated $137 million to $794 million, depending on what form of remediation is used. \nWhile the obligations for environmental remediation activities generally have not been a matter of congressional concern, how USAID has obligated appropriations for health and disability activities has drawn some attention. \nS.Rept. 114-290, accompanying S. 3117, would appropriate for FY2017 $20 million for \u201cremediation of dioxin contamination sites in Vietnam\u201d and $10 million \u201cto assist persons with severe physical and/or cognitive disabilities in areas sprayed with Agent Orange or contaminated with dioxin.\u201d The Obama Administration requested $10 million under the Economic Support Fund (ESF) to continue the IPTD project at Danang airport and $5 million of Development Assistance (DA) funding for \u201csocial and economic services and protection for vulnerable populations.\u201d",
      "type": "CRS Report",
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      "topics": [
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          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4931,
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    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 447186,
      "date": "2015-11-13",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T17:57:03.384165",
      "title": "U.S. Agent Orange/Dioxin Assistance to Vietnam",
      "summary": "U.S. assistance to Vietnam for the environmental and health damage attributed to a dioxin contained in Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over much of the southern portion of the country during the Vietnam War remains a major issue in bilateral relations. Since 2007, Congress has appropriated over $130 million to address these two issues. Starting in FY2011, Congress has appropriated separate amounts for environmental remediation and for health and disability activities in areas of Vietnam that were targeted with Agent Orange or remain contaminated with dioxin.\nMost of appropriated funds have been used by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the environmental clean-up of Danang airport, one of the major airbases used for storing and spraying the herbicides between 1961 and 1971. A lesser amount of the appropriated funds have been used by USAID for assistance to Vietnam\u2019s persons with disabilities, generally, but not always in the vicinity of Danang or other dioxin contaminated areas. \nCongressional interest in Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam has largely been focused on two issues. The first issue is determining the appropriate amount and type of assistance to provide to address the environmental damage and the health effects of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The second issue is oversight of how such assistance has been utilized by the State Department and USAID.\nAccording to USAID projections, the environmental remediation of Danang airport currently underway by a process known as in-pile thermal desorption (IPTD) will be completed in March 2017 at an estimated cost of $88 million. This is $50 million higher than the original projected cost of the project. USAID has fully obligated those funds Congress has appropriated for environmental remediation assistance to Vietnam.\nThe provision of health-related assistance to areas contaminated with Agent Orange/dioxin has raised more issues. By May 2014, USAID had obligated less than two-thirds of the appropriated funds for fiscal years 2010-2013. In addition, the funds have generally been used for disability assistance programs regardless of the cause of the disability, rather than for both health and disability programs targeting populations residing near Agent Orange/dioxin \u201chot spots.\u201d \nField studies have identified a number of areas in Vietnam contaminated with the dioxin associated with Agent Orange, including the airports near Bien Hoa and Phu Cat, as well as sections of the A Luoi Valley. The U.S. and Vietnamese governments are jointly assessing the possibility of undertaking the clean-up of the Bien Hoa airport. One estimate projects the environmental clean-up of Bien Hoa airport could cost over $250 million. \nWhile the obligations for environmental remediation activities generally have not been a matter of congressional concern, how USAID has obligated appropriations for health and disability activities has drawn some attention. \nTwo bills\u2014the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016 (S. 1725); and the Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2015 (H.R. 2114)\u2014would appropriate additional funds for FY2016. The Obama Administration requested $15.0 million under the Economic Support Fund (ESF) to continue the IPTD project at Danang airport and $4.75 million of Development Assistance (DA) funding for \u201csocial and economic services and protection for vulnerable populations.\u201d",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 473,
          "name": "Southeast Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific Islands"
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  ],
  "topics": [
    "Asian Affairs",
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}