Vietnam Grants Friendship Medal to World Vision Director

Vietnam’s government has bestowed the Friendship Medal upon Mr. Edward Danielraj Selvanayagam, Senior Operations Director of World Vision International, for his restless contributions towards poverty alleviation in Vietnam over the past years. This event takes place on the occasion of his visit to Vietnam to introduce World Vision Vietnam’s newly appointed and first-ever Vietnamese National Director, to government and NGO partners on behalf of World Vision International’s East Asia Region Leadership Team. This is the first time ever a representative of World Vision International in Vietnam has received such honorable award. Friendship Medal from the President is awarded to foreign individuals or organizations that make significant contributions towards establishing, strengthening and developing the close friendship between Vietnam and other nations. Mr. Edward Danielraj Selvanayagam said “I feel honored to receive this medal. I am thankful to the children and poor communities in Vietnam for giving me the opportunity to serve them.” In the position of National Director of World Vision International in Vietnam, the organization’s funding to the country has been on the rise to $21 million in 2015 from an average of $4-6 million during mid-2000s. In 2015 particularly, approximately three million Vietnamese children have benefited directly and indirectly from World Vision-implemented programs and projects. (Phap Luat Viet Nam – Vietnam’s Law Sept 24 p2, www.wvi.org Sept 23)