Ha Giang province calls for stronger support from foreign NGOs hinh anh 1Vice Chairwoman of the Ha Giang provincial People’s Committee Ha Thi Minh Hanh (right) and a representative of Plan International Vietnam sign an agreement on a project to improve disadvantaged children's living conditions (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Ha Giang provincial administration and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) held a conference in Hanoi on September 22 in an effort to beef up cooperation between the northernmost locality and foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Addressing the event, VUFO Secretary-General and Vice President Don Tuan Phong thanked foreign NGOs for their contributions and practical support to the development of Vietnam, including mountainous provinces, for many years.

He pledged VUFO will keep close coordination with and the best possible conditions for foreign NGOs to carry out programmes and projects for the sake of Vietnam’s sustainable development.

From 2004 through 2016, Ha Giang benefited from 98 programmes and projects with 19 million USD disbursed by 57 foreign NGOs. Major contributors like Plan, Caritas, ActionAid Vietnam, Vision Care, Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation have helped the province develop socio-economic infrastructure, health care, culture, education, agriculture, forestry, and manpower training, among others.

Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Ha Thi Minh Hanh stressed that foreign NGOs’ projects have helped Ha Giang create jobs, eliminate poverty, prevent diseases, reduce gender inequality and climate change, protect the environment, and promote sustainable development.

She asked foreign NGOs and international organisations to continue and expand their programmes and projects in Ha Giang. She also called on them to choose the province to carry out programmes in health care, education, social issues settlement, poverty eradication, gender equality promotion, environmental protection, natural disaster prevention, and traditional culture preservation.

Hanh affirmed that local authorities and sectors will simplify administrative procedures, ensure security and order, and provide favourable conditions for foreign NGOs.

At the conference, NGO representatives shared experience and submitted proposals relating to project implementation in the province.

The provincial People’s Committee and the NGOs also inked cooperation agreements on the execution of programmes and projects in Ha Giang.-VNA
VNA