Promoting non-governmental aid projects

Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee in cooperation with Vietnam Friendship Organizations’ Union has recently held a conference to mobilize foreign non-governmental aid in 2023. At the event, leaders of some departments, agencies and localities reported projects in need of aid from foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Several projects in need of investment

Le Si Hoang Hai, Deputy Director of Khanh Son District Medical Center said the medical machinery and equipment at Khanh Son District Medical Center is limited and outdated. The center hopes that in the coming time, foreign NGOs would invest in some medical machines and equipment, such as: Automatic biochemical testing machine, automatic hematology testing machine, 3D and 2D ultrasound machines, fetal monitor, hand-held Doppler machine, phototherapy lights, etc. to help increase health care quality.

Leaders of Khanh Vinh District People's Committee and Pluer Blanche Organization (France) sign a memorandum of understanding on financial aid for a number of projects.

According to Ca Tong Thi Men, Vice-Chairperson of Khanh Vinh District People's Committee, many schools in the district have not had adequate conditions, especially in terms of facilities for implementing a new educational program. Therefore, the upgrading of  A Xay school, of Khanh Nam Primary School, and Le Van Tam High School is really essential to assure effective and safe learning and teaching environment.

At the conference, Nguyen Thanh Son, Deputy Director of Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs introduced to representatives of foreign NGOs 2 projects: Supporting disadvantaged families and children in the 2 mountainous districts of Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh; and supporting investment to improve the quality of vocational education of intermediate schools and job creation after graduation.

The project to support poor families and children will be conducted in the period of 2023 – 2025 in order to provide livelihood assistance. It is expected to benefiting about 300 households with a total cost of over VND33.6 billion.

The project on vocational training support will be implemented at 8 public vocational schools in the province to improve professional competence of teachers; develop training programs and investment in equipment with priority given to such sectors as automotive technology, mechanical engineering, welding, industrial electricity, tourism, hotel, restaurant with estimated grants of VND4 billion/school in the period of 2023 - 2025.

In addition to projects mentioned above, other projects in need of investment are in Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, Dien Khanh, Van Ninh, Cam Lam, Department of Health, Department of Education and Training, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. In general, projects in need of foreign non-governmental aid are in the fields of health care, education, social security and job creation.

More resources for development

40 foreign NGOs have been granted operation registration certificates in the province. In the period of 2020 - 2022, 30 foreign NGOs provided aid with 32 project and non-project grants totaling about VND23 billion. Foreign NGOs with frequent donations in the locality include Susann's Help for Children (Switzerland), Holt International Children's Services (USA), Britanny's Hope Foundation (USA), Rock-Paper-Scissors Children's Fund (USA), Ecole Sauvage (France) and so on.

VinaCapital Foundation (USA) has implemented many aid projects, conducting free heart surgeries on hundreds of kids in Khanh Hoa. Many more assistance projects will continue in the coming years in order to reach more in need, according to Rad Kivette, general Director of VinaCapital Foundation.

In general, foreign non-governmental aid programs and projects are in the local priority areas and in accordance with the needs and accessibility of the localities, contributing to the provincial socio-economic development. According to Duong Nam Khanh, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the mobilization of aid from foreign NGOs need to be linked with the socio-economic development orientation and the poverty reduction plan of the Government with aid for disadvantaged areas, including Khanh Son, Khanh Vinh, Cam Lam and Van Ninh in such fields as medical care, education and training, social issues, natural resources, environment, agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Speaking at the conference, Le Huu Hoang, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee confirmed that the province would like to enhance cooperation relationship with foreign NGOs and hoped in the coming time, the province would receive technical and financial support from foreign NGOs and other sponsors to the construction and development of the province, especially in rural and remote areas.

G.D

Translated by N.T