A conference calling for foreign non-government organisations (NGOs) to provide more aid to the central province of Thanh Hoa was held in Hanoi on March 28.

Hosted by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the event brought together more than 50 international NGOs operating in Vietnam.

Participants discussed ways to attract more non-governmental assistance to Thanh Hoa in order to further promote poverty reduction and improve living conditions for local people.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Dinh Xung said there were 64 foreign aid projects, worth 9 million USD, implemented in the locality in 2013. They were focused on the fields of agriculture, rural development, health, education, social welfare, environmental protection and climate change response.

Xung stressed the projects played an important role in providing livelihoods for local people, especially in disadvantaged areas, thus contributing to reducing poverty and protecting the environment.

Nguyen Song Hoan, Director of the provincial Department of External Affairs said Thanh Hoa considers its cooperation with NGOs as one of its key activities, and promised it will create favourable conditions for overseas charitable organisations to operate in the province.

Chairman of the union of friendship organisations in Thanh Hoa, Hoang Van Hoang, thanked NGOs for their support to the locality and called on them to continue assisting the province in realising its poverty reduction and sustainable economic development targets.-VNA