VUFO and MOFA leaders honors 49 NGOs of outstanding performance in 2021. Photo: VNT

On December 21 in Hanoi, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) held an information sharing conference and a ceremony to recognize contributions of foreign or international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in 2021.

Leaders presenting in the ceremony included Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, the President of VUFO; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Working Committee on INGOs To Anh Dung; Mr. Phan Anh Son, Vice President - General Secretary of VUFO, Vice Director of the International Non-Governmental Organizations' Working Committee; together with representatives of agencies, the Working Group of the Working Committee on INGOs, representatives of leaders of departments and units under VUFO and representatives of INGOs.

In 2021, the conference was held in Hanoi in the form of both face-to-face and online, and attended by more delegates than in the traditional form, including: INGOs operating in Vietnam and their headquarters abroad; ministries, branches, people to people organizations at the central level and focal agencies on FNG work in localities across the country.

NGO activities are flexible in the context of complicated COVID-19 pandemic

The ceremony of summarizing and recognizing the contributions of INGOs and individuals is an annual activity organized by VUFO to recognize and evaluate FNG work carried out during the year, and at the same time make recommendations to strengthen the NGOs effectiveness in the following years.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Mr. Phan Anh Son, Vice President - General Secretary of VUFO, Vice Director of the International Non-Governmental Organizations' Working Committee presented an overview of the world, regional situation and issues affecting to NGO work.

Mr. Phan Anh Son, Vice President - General Secretary of VUFO, Vice Director of the International Non-Governmental Organizations' Working Committee shared the impacts of the world situation, the COVID-19 pandemic on the operation of INGOs in Vietnam.

In 2021, due to the continued influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the humanitarian aid and development activities of INGOs will be greatly affected. Many programs, plans and activities have been adjusted or changed. Foreign experts and officials face difficulties in immigration and travel due to having to comply with quarantine regulations.

However, with the initiative of INGOs and the active coordination and support of VUFO - the focal agency for FNG aid relations and advocacy and related agencies and localities, most organizations promptly adjusted the operation plan, focusing on proposing effective solutions to ensure the good maintenance of the organization's overall operation in Vietnam. In particular, many organizations have made great efforts to support Vietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, overcoming the consequences of natural disasters such as drought, saltwater intrusion in some provinces in the Mekong Delta, storms and floods in Central.

According to Phan Anh Son, 2022 will continue to be a challenging and difficult year for the world, for Vietnam and for FNG work. However, with the correct, timely leadership, drastic and flexible management of the Vietnamese Party and Government; the determination and consensus of all agencies, organizations and people; with the support of international friends, including INGOs, Vietnam has overcome the pandemic, gradually recovered and developed socio-economic; to ensure the maintenance of economic stability and social security; maintain national defense and social order.

Contribution ceremony of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 2021 will be conducted in the form of both face-to-face and online collaboration.

INGOs support Vietnam in the hot spots

Speaking at the ceremony, VUFO President, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said that in the context of complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam continued receiving support from INGOs, especially the consensus, policy support, financial support, and experience from organizations both helping Vietnam fight the pandemic and implementing programs and projects.

The VUFO President expressed her appreciation for the great efforts of INGOs, overcoming difficulties caused by the pandemic, and continuing to give Vietnam valuable support. INGOs have agreed and supported in terms of policies of finance and experience, both to help Vietnam prevent the pandemic and implement programs and projects to ensure commitments for beneficiaries as well as sponsors.

VUFO President, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga appreciated the companionship and support of INGOs to the Vietnamese people.

“The INGOs have actively mobilized resources, been in hot spots in a timely manner even if they have not been vaccinated, and have not managed to bring medical equipment, medical supplies for pandemic prevention and control, and essential supplies to them day and night in the most difficult areas to support frontline forces, take care of health, and support people directly affected by the COVID-19. On behalf of the Vietnamese people, I would like to send my most sincere thanks to the NGOs operating in Vietnam and their sponsors.” – Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said.

Also according to the report at the conference, INGOs have actively supported Vietnam in the fight against COVID-19 with about 130 aid amounts worth US$10.65 million in cash, medical supplies, necessities, training program.

In addition, VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga also added that VUFO has together with agencies and localities determined the motto of accompanying and standing side by side with INGOs in this difficult time. In that spirit, VUFO has made efforts to actively share information, closely coordinate in handling administrative procedures, assist in solving difficulties in the implementation of programs/projects, fundraising activities, vaccination support for NGO staff. The feedback we have received from organizations to date shows that the efforts of Vietnamese agencies are timely and have yielded positive results.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung highly appreciated the efforts and affection of INGOs in supporting Vietnam.

Speaking at the closing of the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung highly appreciated the efforts and affection of NGOs in overcoming great difficulties and challenges in 2021 to support Vietnam. At the same time, the Deputy Minister also thanked the significant contributions of INGOs to the sustainable development of Vietnam. Dung affirmed that Vietnam wished to receive the support and companionship of NGOs in the coming time, and pledged that VUFO and the Working Committee on INGOs will continued standing side by side to facilitate the operation of INGOs in Vietnam.

On this occasion, to honor and recognize the positive contributions of INGOs, VUFO awarded certificates of merit to 49 INGOs with the most outstanding activities in 2021.

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations awarded certificates of merit to the INGOs.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung awards certificates of merit to INGOs

VUFO Vice President - General Secretary Phan Anh Son awards certificates of merit to INGOs with outstanding performance in 2021.

The contributions of INGOs are a valuable source of encouragement to the Vietnamese people in the context of the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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