HCM City Boosts Partnership with Foreign NGOs
A partnership between HCM City and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been expanded across many fields, including community development, health care, education and social issues, according to the HCM City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO).
HUFO and the city's working group for foreign NGOs have co-organized an annual conference with foreign NGOs to discuss co-operation for the coming time.
Do Viet Ha, president of HUFO, said the conference offered a platform for foreign NGOs and Vietnamese partners to discuss co-operation, difficulties and challenges, along with the city’s aid mobilization demand.
It also gave friendship organizations of other southern localities a chance to present their requests for assistance from foreign NGOs operating in relevant fields, with an aim to enhance co-operation in future projects.
Last year, 127 foreign NGOs were licensed to operate in the city, mainly in the fields of health care, education, social protection, and environment.
The municipal People's Committee approved 58 applications from foreign agencies, organizations, and individuals that provide project and non-project aid for Vietnam, with committed capital totaling around VND630 billion ($25.2 million).
“These projects have considerably contributed to local socio-economic development and the implementation of target programs,” Hà said.
Representatives of Children's Hospital No 2, the HCM City Association for the Support of the Disabled and Orphans, the city's Child Welfare Association, and the friendship organization unions of Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Dong Nai, Long An, and Tay Ninh provinces introduced their priority projects that need assistance from foreign individuals and organizations.
Those projects focus on such areas as health care, social issues, climate change, and education.
Participants were also updated on regulations on the management of foreign NGOs’ activities, the management and use of non-refundable aid outside foreign official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam, and other relevant legal provisions.
On this occasion, the municipal People's Committee and HUFO presented certificates of merit to ten foreign NGOs for their outstanding contributions to humanitarian projects in the city.