Foreign NGOs provide $300mn in aid for Vietnam in 2014

Foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have provided Vietnam with an estimated US$300 million in aid in the year to date, according to the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO).

Five hundred international NGOs are operating in Vietnam with 42 more coming and 10 leaving, a representative from the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM) said at a ceremony held in Hanoi on Friday to review and recognize the contributions of the NGOs.

“Though the global economy has yet to show any sign of recovery, foreign NGOs have offered impressive financial support to Vietnam this year,” Don Tuan Phong, vice president of the VUFO, said at the event.

Phong added that the aid has focused on dealing with social issues, healthcare, education improvement, socio-economic development, and environmental protection.

Meanwhile, the PACCOM has vowed to further enhance information sharing with the international NGOs operating in Vietnam and to seek sponsorship for them.

During the event, the VUFO presented 33 foreign NGOs and one individual with certificates of merit in recognition of their significant contributions to poverty reduction and sustainable development in the country.

Marko Lovrekovic, co-managing director of the VUFO-NGO Resource Center, told Tuoi Tre News that the quality of programs run by NGOs is more important than the number of NGOs in Vietnam.
“I think Vietnam does not need to increase the number of NGOs. I think they need to help NGOs better coordinate and implement their projects. The biggest issues now are about legislation and policies, and the legal environment,” Lovrekovic said.

Source: Tuoi Tre