HÀ NỘI — President Trần Đại Quang praised support for World Vision International inViệt Nam, especially for its social welfare and children care programmes launched over the past few years.

“World Vision programmes have greatly contributed to eliminating poverty in Việt Nam,” Quang said at a meeting with organisation CEO Kevin Jenkins in Hà Nội today.

Quang also suggested that World Vision International continue to help Việt Nam tackle challenges in rural and health infrastructure development, education for rural people, disaster prevention, emergency aid and rehabilitation.

Jenkins expressed his appreciation for the government’s consistent support for World Vision’s work in Việt Nam since it launched humanitarian relief operations in 1988.

“From World Vision’s experience in the community, including undertaking humanitarian relief operations, to our national level policy work, the government’s proactive and close involvement at every step of our journey has made it possible for communities with whom we work to achieve notable gains, especially for young children,” he said.

At an earlier event, the Việt Nam Union of Friendship Organisations  Chairman Vũ Xuân Hồng awarded Jenkins the Presidential Friendship Medal, a recognition awarded to foreign individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions towards establishing and strengthening Viet Nam’s ties with other nations.

Jenkins is visiting Tiên Lữ District, Hưng Yên Province, where World Vision has partnered with the local community in development projects over the past seven years.

World Vision has invested nearly US$300 million in emergency and development funds for Việt Nam for the past 30 years.

Jenkins commended the government and community partners for their relentless focus on improving development statistics.

"Việt Nam is proof that a government which cares about its people and works with partners in an open and transparent manner can achieve huge amounts of change in a generation."

World Vision works in 15 of the country’s 63 cities and provinces, with more than 400 staff members living in and working alongside members of the community daily. It provided statistics from Child Well-Being’s report to support claims of improved quality of education, healthcare, nutritional health, child protection and child participation. — VNS