has requested that MEDCAP activities be limited to health-care exchange and education programs , and has turned down opportunities for traditional MEDCAPs providing outpatient health assessments , inoculations , and basic health-care education to the masses .
IGOs and NGOs in Vietnam
IGOs form as a result of signed contracts between two or more countries that outline the financing and implementation of IGO programs . These organizations , whose representatives are international diplomats , can enter contracts , engage in litigation , and petition courts for redress . IGOs operate in Vietnam either in partnership with the United States or unilaterally with Vietnam .
NGOs attempt to be “ third sector ” entities separate from the governmental pressures and the political agendas of their home countries and the host nations , but this rarely occurs as the funding from their home country often comes with national imperatives . However , Vietnam ’ s sociopolitical structure has historically viewed civic organizations as a threat to the government ’ s hold on power , thereby overriding any assistance benefits to the populace . Vietnamese NGOs ( VNGOs ), which deliver governmentapproved services and messages to the population , are completely accountable to the Communist government ; essentially , they are an extension of it . Recently , Vietnam has attempted to loosen up both politically and legally in order to allow the establishment of private nonprofit organizations under the 1992 Decree 35 / CP . Because of the broad terms private and nonprofit , the new flood of VNGOs covers a wide breadth of agendas driven by religious , business , and professional pursuits more similar to small businesses than NGOs . In reality , the hundreds of VNGOs that offer social and economic support to the population still have to conceal their agendas by registering as economic firms or associate with a state-sponsored entity in order to operate . They essentially continue to be an extension of the government .
Although international NGOs have increased in Vietnam during the recent Doi Moi , the Vietnamese government strictly observes their activities . International NGOs must be thoroughly vetted prior to establishing close relationships .
Institute for Military Support to Governance
U . S . Army doctrine , ARSOF 2022 , established the Institute for Military Support to Governance ( IMSG ), to manage the provision of civil sector expertise across the range of military operations in order to support USG obligations under international law and promote stability . The IMSG is composed of soldiers with advanced military governance skill sets , who identify and address critical civil vulnerabilities in undergoverned and ungoverned areas or high-threat environments . IMSG soldiers could further enhance diplomacy and communications between DOD and the Vietnamese civil sector . The IMSG is part of the US Army John F . Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School ( USAJFKSWCS ) at Fort Bragg , North Carolina . The intent is to have the IMSG recruit professionals from the civil sector who have credentialed experience in stability-related fields , to support Special Operations forces , joint commanders , and ambassadors at the tactical , operational , and strategic levels . Many of the soldiers have advanced education and experience in emergency response and medical-related fields , which can be incorporated into the PPP as well as other stability and support operations in USPASCOM ’ s entire AOR .
Recommendation .
The United States should assist Vietnam in building a national emergency response and PPP program that is feasible and sustainable by the host nation , and synergistic with other regional countries . Such an initiative has good humanitarian principles and supports good governance and international
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