Established in 1965, Counterpart International (CPI) is a US non-governmental organization. It has the mission to empower vulnerable people to implement innovative, holistic and enduring solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges. Counterpart's programs encompass humanitarian aid and relief assistance, health care, democracy and governance, natural resource management and feeding the impoverished.

In 2003, with the finance of the US Ministry of Agriculture, Counterpart inked a commitment to implement the Food for Progress Program with the Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee. Under the program, from 2004 to 2007, CPI has cooperated to help Quang Binh province carry out three projects in the buffer zone of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Bo Trach district), namely: initial health care, forest development and enterprise development. From June 2006, CPI and Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee has continued to pledge a cooperation for the 2007-2009 period to implement two sustainable agriculture projects (2007-2009) and business assistance service (2008-2009).

In the progress of implementing the project, CPI has also provided some activities in order to meet the urgent demand of the community, namely: restoring Khuong Ha village's Tuong (classical drama), building the safe playgrounds for four primary schools of Hung Trach, Phu Dinh, Phuc Trach and Xuan Trach communes; solidify dwelling-houses for the poor in Lam Trach and Xuan Trach communes; building Thanh Sen chain-bridge in Phuc Trach commune and providing a support for activities of the Green Future Fund. The total expense of the Food for Progress Program in Quang Binh from 2004 to 2009 was US$1,778,807.

Through the projects, the Food for Progress Program of CPI has contributed to change the awareness and habits of initial health care, protect and develop forest, improve the ability of personnel staff, ensure the food security, improve the livelihood and the spiritual and material life for the people in seven communes of Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts.

Vice-chairman Tran Cong Thuat grants Certificate of Merit to collectives and individuals for their excellent achievements in the implementation of CPI project

On the occasion of the summing-up of the Food for Progress Program in Quang Binh, two collectives and three individuals were awarded the Certificate of Merit of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for their excellent achievements, contributing to socio-economic development of the locality; five individuals were granted the Certificate of Merit of the Director of Department of Foreign Affairs for excellent achievements in the implementation of NGOs projects of CPI.

Mr. Victor Pinga, national representative of CPI presents a commemorative gift to the Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee

On behalf of the provincial leaders, Vice-chairman Tran Cong Thuat expressed his thanks to CPI for helping Quang Binh province implement the projects effectively. In order to implement the commitment of CPI and the Provincial People's Committee, Vice-chairman Thuat asked related agencies to quickly promote the establishment of the Green Future Fund to assist the low-income households; ordered the project-related localities to effectively develop and expand economic models.

Reported by Thuy Duyen - Translated by N.Y