Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A meeting took place in Hanoi on December 2 incelebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3),drawing the participation of more than 300 disabled people in the capital andsurrounding localities.
The event was co-organised by the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities(NCPD) and the Hanoi Association of People with Disabilities.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of the Labour, Invalids and SocialAffairs and NCPD Vice President Dao Hong Lan said Vietnam is one of thecountries with a high rate of people with disabilities in Asia-Pacific withnearly 8 million disabled people, or 7.8 percent of total population, including1.2 million children.
Most of the Vietnamese disabled face difficulties in their lives, especiallythose who are Agent Orange/dioxin victims, she added.
Over the past time, Vietnam has issued many policies and action programmes toimprove the living standards for this group. Thanks to these, people withdisabilities have been provided with social allowances, housing, education,health care, vocational training, employment and preferential loans.
However, support has yet come to all people in need, she said, adding that manydisabled persons have failed to access job opportunities and social services.
The meeting offers a chance for State agencies, organisations and individualsto accompany people with disabilities, sharing love and responsibility withthem, she noted.
This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes the theme of “Transformationtowards Sustainable and Resilient Society for All”. -VNA
VNA
