The former General Director of ActionAid int’l organisation in Vietnam Ramesh Singh was awarded the Friendship Order by the Vietnamese State President at a ceremony on Dec. 22.

The honour was presented for his active contribution to strengthening friendship between Vietnam and ActionAid as well as promoting Vietnam ’s development.

Ramesh Singh said it was an honour to him to receive the noble distinction and spoke highly of Vietnam ’s outstanding achievements in poverty eradication over the past two decades. He also thanked the Vietnamese Government, especially heads of the friendship organisations and provinces who have enthusiastically supported him during his working time in Vietnam .

During his term in Vietnam from 1997 to 2000, Ramesh Singh actively contributed to the establishment of partnership relations and projects funded by ActionAid regarding health care, education, credit and agriculture, which have helped boost poverty eradication, create jobs and improve people’s life.

Between 2000 and 2004, as ActionAid’s General Director, he continued to assist Vietnam to deal with numerous int’l issues including trade victims, int’l integration and support of Agent Orange.

ActionAid, founded in 1972, aims to fight poverty worldwide./.