Speaking at a ceremony in Hanoi on May 4 to celebrate the 25th foundinganniversary of the NFVC, Thinh said as Vietnam now has nearly 1.5 children withspecial circumstances and about 2.5 million others at high risk of being disadvantaged,the fund needs to have more practical and effective activities to help them.
She hailed the achievements the fund has made over the past 25 years, connectingthe community and international organisations with disadvantaged children.
The fund has raised more than 5 trillion VND (220.3 million USD) and hundredsof tonnes of goods for over 30 million Vietnamese children.
It has carried out a wide range of practical programmes in support of underprivilegedchildren, drawing the active participation of the community, she said, citingthe “For kids’ hearts” programme has spent hundreds of billions of VND assisting17,000 children with congenital heart diseases while the functionalrehabilitation programme has helped 24,000 disabled kids, especially AgentOrange/dioxin victims.
In addition, the NFVC has also granted scholarships and provided vocationaltraining for orphans and disabled children as well as supported those affectedby natural disasters and epidemics.
The fund strives to mobilise 80 billion VND (3.5 million USD) per year and givedirect support to 55,000 children with special circumstances.
On theoccasion, six units and individuals with excellent performance in caring forand protecting children in the 2012-2016 period were presented the PrimeMinister’s certificate of merit.
Also at the ceremony, the Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company signed anagreement to provide 10.5 billion VND for the NFVC.-VNA