ASEAN strengthens cooperation to mitigate COVID-19 impact on vulnerable groups

Vietnam’s Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) –The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD) washeld online on June 10 with the aim of mitigating the impact of COVID-19 onvulnerable groups.

Attending the event were10 ministers in charge of social welfare and social development in ASEAN memberstates and the ASEAN Secretary General.

Vietnam’sMinister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung appreciated the efforts of Laos and the ASEAN Secretariat in hosting the videoconference.

This isa practical initiative that helps implement effectively the outcomes of the onlineSpecial ASEAN and ASEAN+3 Summits on COVID-19 as well as the Chairman'sStatement on ASEAN collective response to the outbreak of COVID-19, Dung said.

He shared that thepandemic has affected all people in the society, especially workers, the poor andthose from vulnerable groups. The Vietnamesegovernment provided a social aid package worth over 62 trillion VND (about 2.7billion USD) in support of 20 million people, including the elderly, sickpeople, and low-income earners.

Hecalled on ASEAN member nations to strengthen coordination at both national andregional levels in promoting social welfare and response to crises, disastersand diseases to ensure no one is left behind.

Theminister expressed his belief that with the attention of top leaders andregional-level policy actions, ASEAN will soon overcome this difficult time torecover the economy and build a cohesive and responsive community.

At the videoconference, ASEAN ministers shared policies and programmes supporting people,especially those from vulnerable groups. 

Theyagreed to pass a joint statement on mitigating the impact of COVID-19 onvulnerable groups in ASEAN./.

VNA