The USAID Wildlife Asia project on August 28 launched the third phase of the Chi (Strength of Will) Initiative, a program to help decrease consumer demand for rhino horn in Vietnam.
Photo: USAID/Vietnam
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Demand for rhino horn in Asian countries, including Vietnam, drives the illegal poaching of rhinos in Africa, putting the species in jeopardy of extinction. The Vietnamese government has made strides in countering wildlife crime, notably with a new penal code that features stricter penalties for the possession and trade of illegal wildlife products. Despite these efforts, Vietnam is still considered a major consumer market and transit hub for rhino horn, according to a statement by USAID.
The Chi, a social marketing initiative, seeks to reduce demand for rhino horn by using a social behavior change communication approach to tackle consumption driven by social status. USAID Wildlife Asia’s Chi Phase III will continue to use targeted, evidence-based behavior change communication solutions to reduce key categories of users’ demand.
“We were excited to welcome representatives from government, civil society, businesspeople and the media at the launch, which showed an increasing consensus for wildlife protection in Vietnam,” said Sarah Ferguson, head of TRAFFIC in Vietnam.
“As part of USAID Wildlife Asia and with a strong commitment from Vietnamese partners, we will continue to explore innovative behavioral change solutions and work to further reduce illegal wildlife consumption in the country.”
USAID Wildlife Asia works to address wildlife trafficking as a transnational crime. The project works to reduce consumer demand for wildlife parts and products, strengthen law enforcement, enhance legal and political commitment and support regional collaboration to reduce wildlife crime in Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. USAID Wildlife Asia focuses on four species elephant, rhinoceros, tiger and pangolin.
