Vietnam’s non-government organisations (VNGOs) have confirmed their role and contributions to ridding the nation of hunger and reducing poverty while promoting socio-economic development, said a former official of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Ex-Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Thang Van Phuc stated this at the annual VNGOs seminar held by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Association in Hanoi on September 20.

A representative from the Consultation Institute Pham Quang Tu praised the VNGOs projects which, he said, have contributed to raising the awareness, skills and the capabilities of poor and ethnic people, as well as people affected by natural disasters and epidemics, and women, children, and people with HIV or disabilities.

However, he went on to say the effectiveness of VNGOs’ activities have not met their full expectations due an inadequate legal framework and strict regulations on VNGOs.

Apart from enhancing the present legislation, Deputy Head of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for Social Affairs Nguyen Van Tien, suggested that the State introduces policies so VNGOs can become more involved in government programmes and consult on a number of the State’s policies.

The State should also permit the VNGOs to provide public services in healthcare, education and culture, he said.

According to statistics released by the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM), in 2009, domestic and foreign NGOs disbursed more than 271 million USD as aid in health care, socio-economic development, education and training and settling social issues.

The country now has around 1,700 NGOs./.