Children taking Vitamin A at a health care station (Illustrative image. Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan has proposed that UNICEF continue to work with Vietnam in giving nutrition support to children, especially those from ethnic minority groups in mountainous and remote areas and poor families.
Meeting UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific Karin Hulshof in Hanoi on August 30, the VFF leader held that along with sufficient nutrition, a safe living environment is crucial for the comprehensive and optimal development of children.
He asked the UN agency to coordinate with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Vietnam Women’s Union and the Vietnam Association of Veterans to supervise the observation of children’s rights.
He also hailed the role and contributions of the UNICEF in the caring and protection of children around the world, especially through humanitarian aids in crisis areas as well as education support programmes for children and assistance for migrant children.
The VFF President acknowledged the significant help that the UNICEF has provided for Vietnam in protecting, caring and educating children as well as in implementing the Millennium Development Goals and addressing social issues, especially those in education, health care and nutrition.
Nhan affirmed that Vietnam always gives top priority to the protection of, caring for and education for children, while paying much attention to realising its international commitments.
Expressing delight at the strong partnership between Vietnam and the UNICEF over the past 40 years, Karin Hulshof revealed that the fund has drafted a cooperation plan with Vietnam for the next five years.
The UNICEF will continue assisting Vietnam in implementing sustainable development goals as well as working closely with the VFF and other social organisations to promote children’s rights, she said.
She lauded the adoption of the Children Law in April 2016, describing it as a new step forwards in the field, creating a legal framework for the support of children.
She also hailed the engagement of the Vietnam Association of Veterans, the Vietnam Women’s Union and the Youth Union in the supervision of the implementation of children’s rights.
Karin Hulshof said the UNICEF wishes to affiliate with the youth union in helping children.
She also pledged to give nutrition support to Vietnamese children.-VNA
