Need to increase resources for foreign NGOs

Voter Le Thanh Dat (District 12):

Question: What activities and projects do foreign NGOs and international organizations have in HCMC and District 12? What are some methods to link organizations, promote volunteering and social security, and help young entrepreneurs to find opportunities to start businesses?

Candidate Phan Anh Son, vice president and general secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, as well as deputy chairman of the Committee for Foreign NGOs Affairs, and director of the Institute for International Studies and Public Diplomacy.

Answer: Currently, there are 496 international organizations and foreign NGOs nationwide, of which 163 organizations have offices in Ho Chi Minh City. According city data, from 2016 to 2020 the city mobilized 320 million U.S. dollars in foreign aid.

In HCMC, the NGO project mainly focus on healthcare, medical examination and treatment, free medicine delivery, preventive medicine support, and medical access for the disadvantaged, disabled and elderly, etc. In addition, the NGOs support the training of doctors and nurses at the grassroots. Along with that are programs such as cardiac surgery, eye surgery, and humanitarian surgery for children with birth defects, such as cleft palates, etc.

Regarding education, domestic and international social organizations focus on enhancing quality of equipment and facilities (computers, reading rooms and libraries for students), as well as innovative student-centered teaching methods.

There are currently four NGOs conducting projects District 12 focusing on fixed programs: Tet (Lunar New Year) gifts for disadvantaged households; assistance for disadvantaged households affected by Covid-19, scholarships to excellent but disadvantaged students; and support programs for female workers.

Next time, we will join the the city's Union of Friendship Organizations and the District Youth Union to implement a number of programs supporting start-up students, vocational training, English teaching and programs providing free meals for the poor.

Protecting the legal rights of women and children

Voter Nguyen Thi Phuong (Tan Chanh Hiep ward, District 12).

Question: How are institutions being built as related to the protection of the legal rights of women and children today?

Candidate Thi Hong Hanh, Party committee member, deputy Director of the Department of Justice of HCMC.

Answer: As a female candidate, I am always keen on building institutions to create conditions for women to have equal opportunities in access to employment; and participate in activities and programs to protect the legitimate rights and interests of women and children. Vietnam has developed a sound legal framework to promote gender equality, but the implementation of these regulations has shown limitations in practice. Somewhere among Vietnamese families, backward customs and practices still exist.

If I become a member of the National Assembly, I will pursue these matters so that the legal decrees can be fully implemented in practice. With my responsibility, ability and knowledge, I will actively support victims, help alleviate their pain and make recommendations to the authorities.