Speaking at the meeting, Phan Anh Son briefly introduced the DPAA leader to the roles of VUFO and The People's Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM), the functional body under VUFO, specializing in issues related to foreign NGOs.

According to Phan Anh Son, among 388 foreign NGOs operating in Vietnam, about 10% are directly involved in war legacy settlement. There are many other organizations that deal with post-war aftermath in indirect ways, such as providing support for Agent Orange's victims and their families.

Thanks to regular contact and information sharing with VUFO and PACCOM, foreign NGOs can enhance their capacities and better their communication with localities, especially in the Central Land of Vietnam like Da Nang, and Quang Tri.

Also at the meeting, the VUFO leader emphasized the role of people-to-people diplomacy in strengthening solidarity, friendship, and cooperation with the peoples of other countries, maintaining a global peaceful environment, and mobilizing external resources in Vietnam.

Vice President - General Secretary of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son (right) and Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Principal Director Kelly McKeague (left) at the meeting (Photo: Thu Ha)..

In response, Kelly McKeague thanked VUFO and PACCOM for the reception, adding that it is a good opportunity for DPAA to understand more about cooperation between foreign NGOs and Vietnamese counterparts.

"This trip, [DPAA delegation's first purpose] is to join the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Agency for Searching for Missing Persons (VNOSMP). It is also the 35th anniversary of cooperation between VNOSMP and DPAA," said Kelly McKeague.

He stressed that DPAA aims to reaffirm its commitment to doing fieldwork in Vietnam. In the coming time, the fieldwork is expected to be tripled.

Phan Anh Son suggested that through information sharing, VUFO, PACCOM, and foreign NGOs like DPAA can not only gain better cooperation with each other but also create stronger relationships with sponsors, local NGOs, and the government. In particular, VUFO and PACCOM will soon host a workshop for organizations working in the field of dealing with post-war aftermath.

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