Vietnam Calls for More Support from UNICEF

At the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M.Russell in Hanoi on November 11. Photo: VGP

During a reception in Hanoi on November 11 for UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M.Russell, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said her visit has contributed to reinforcing ties between Vietnam and UNICEF on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s UN membership and nearly 40 years of Vietnam’s partnership with UNICEF, according to VietnamPlus.

Speaking highly of the UNICEF Vietnam Office’s active support over the years, Dam said apart from cooperation activities within the framework of the 2017-2021 Country Programme, UNICEF has actively assisted Vietnam in the fight against Covid-19, particularly in transporting over 70 million vaccine doses under the COVAX Facility, seeking the supply of vaccines for children, providing vaccination equipment and improving national vaccination capacity.

Vietnam and UNICEF also embarked on the 2022-2026 Country Programme at a total cost of $70 million, most of which is non-refundable aid.

The Vietnamese Government and PM have issued a number of policies and projects to ensure the enforcement of children’s rights that best meets socio-economic conditions, promptly settle traditional and arising children-related issues, fulfill goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including those related to child protection, care and education, he said.

This year, an estimated 74% of children living in special circumstances received support, up 2% annually. All children aged below 6 were have received free health insurance cards, while 95% of children aged below 1 have been fully vaccinated.

This year, an estimated 74% of children living in special circumstances received support. Photo: VietnamPlus

Children’s forums at all levels are held annually while the national children’s forums are held every two years, with over 1.7 million children attending all-level forums, Dam added.

Russel hailed Vietnam as one of the first countries to approve the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and actively join global alliances and movements on children’s rights.

She said UN agencies and UNICEF in particular prioritise supporting Vietnam in building and strengthening child protection in Vietnam, including strengthening the legal system, developing a three-level child protection service system, improving the capacity of staff in charge of child protection; and detecting, supporting and intervening in cases of child abuse and those at risk of abuse and violence.

UNICEF will continue partnering with and offering effective support to Vietnam in child protection, care and education in the near future, she said.

She vowed to pool the support of international organisations, countries and stakeholders to solve difficulties and challenges in the new context in order to demonstrate Vietnam’s role in the UN Human Rights Council, as well as strengthen Vietnam’s global integration in the field of children’s rights.

UNICEF said on its website that Russell paid a three-day visit to Vietnam, commending the country for its many gains for children. Russell also called for urgent action to address challenges like malnutrition and inequalities that have been exacerbated by Covid-19 and climate shocks.

“In the past few decades, Vietnam has made tremendous progress in ensuring that children across the country are healthy, safe, educated and empowered to reach their full potential,” said Russell. “UNICEF will continue to work with the Government and our partners to reach all children, especially the most vulnerable, with the services and support they need.”

In Gia Lai, one of the poorest provinces in Vietnam with a diverse ethnic population, Russell visited a health centre and a hospital, where children are screened and treated for severe acute malnutrition.

In Gia Lai, one of the poorest provinces in Vietnam with a diverse ethnic population, Russell visited a health centre and a hospital. Photo: UNICEF

She also visited a preschool and met children, parents and other community members.

Russell welcomed the Government’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis and the risks it presents to children, especially the most vulnerable.

In Hanoi, Russell held talks with senior Government and National Assembly leaders as well as other officials, to emphasize follow-up to the recent Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and to raise key issues affecting children./.