Research from Australia’s Lowy Institute released on June 17, 2024 (Photo: Lowy)

Research from Australia’s Lowy Institute released on Monday shows that from 2015 to 2022 Southeast Asia received a total aid commitment of 380 billion USD, with 255 billion USD already disbursed, of which Vietnam received nearly 50 billion, 18% of the total aid disbursed to the region.

According to the Lowy Institute, Southeast Asia is the fastest-growing region in terms of both economy and population. It faces numerous challenges to its development, however – poverty, inequality, limited access to healthcare and education, political instability or unrest, and significant impact from natural disasters. These challenges have intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic.