The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Building Healthy Cities (BHC) project is holding a closing conference on September 29 to celebrate the successful end of two years of activities in Da Nang. The event will share project accomplishments, publications and products, as well as express thanks to all parties who supported the project. Participants will include BHC global and EMWF, Da Nang City government and other key stakeholders.

BHC is partnering with Smart City initiatives and urban health coordination structures in four cities: Indore, India; Makassar, Indonesia; Kathmandu, Nepal; and Da Nang, Vietnam. The project’s goal is to ensure that each of these cities are considering citizen’s health as they plan for urban growth. In Da Nang, BHC’s implementing partner is East Meets West Foundation (EMWF) and the signatory city government partner is the Department of Information and Communications, which is the home of the Da Nang Smart City program.

Over the last two years, BHC has worked closely with city government departments, civil society organizations, community organizations, and others to support Da Nang’s goal of becoming a smarter, healthier city. The project focused on 5 key areas: food safety education, 1022 citizen reporting system, environmental protection education, systems mapping, and secondary data collection. In total, BHC engaged 7 government agencies, included over 300 people in events and workshops, and worked with 14 schools, benefitting 2,300 students.

According to Ms. Thuy Anh, Da Nang Department of Foreign and Affairs, “Ensuring food safety is a priority and top concern of Da Nang city leaders. The city government will continue to implement activities, plans to enhance food safety in the city. The maintenance and development of BHC results such as implementing food safety and environmental protection, reducing plastic products (single-use plastics), expanding “waste-free school” model to other schools, industrial parks, hospitals and residential areas will contribute to build a safer and heathier city.”

Ms. Amanda Pomeroy-Stevens, BHC Project Director shares, “Da Nang is a city of innovation and forward progress. The USAID-funded Building Healthy Cities project is honored to have partnered with Da Nang to create synergies between sectors, increase citizen engagement, and provide data for decision-making relating to healthier urban planning.”

While BHC’s presence in Da Nang is ending, the progress begun by the project will continue. Key elements of BHC’s work, such as trainings on food safety and waste management in schools, and promotion of the 1022 citizen reporting system have been handed over to city government departments. The activities will continue to improve the health of people in Da Nang.

About the Building Healthy Cities Project

Building Healthy Cities (BHC) is a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Agreement No. AID-OAA-A-17-00028, beginning September 30, 2017. BHC is implemented by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) with partners International Organization for Migration, Thrive Networks Global, and Urban Institute, and with support from Engaging Inquiry, LLC. This Project is made possible by the generous support of the American people through USAID. USAID administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide.

For more information, please contact Dr. Tran Thi Thuy Ha, Program Manager, East Meets West Foundation at ha.tran1@eastmeetswest.org.