Fund hoped to better care for children

Speaking at a ceremony in Hanoi on May 4 to celebrate the 25th founding anniversary of the NFVC, Thinh said as Vietnam now has nearly 1.5 children with special circumstances and about 2.5 million others at high risk of being disadvantaged, the fund needs to have more practical and effective activities to help them.

She hailed the achievements the fund has made over the past 25 years, connecting the community and international organisations with disadvantaged children. 

The fund has raised more than VND5 trillion (US$220.3 million) and hundreds of tonnes of goods for over 30 million Vietnamese children.

It has carried out a wide range of practical programmes in support of underprivileged children, drawing the active participation of the community, she said, citing the “For kids’ hearts” programme has spent hundreds of billions of VND assisting 17,000 children with congenital heart diseases while the functional rehabilitation programme has helped 24,000 disabled kids, especially Agent Orange/dioxin victims.

In addition, the NFVC has also granted scholarships and provided vocational training for orphans and disabled children as well as supported those affected by natural disasters and epidemics.

The fund strives to mobilise VND80 billion (US$3.5 million) per year and give direct support to 55,000 children with special circumstances.

 
On the occasion, six units and individuals with excellent performance in caring for and protecting children in the 2012-2016 period were presented the Prime Minister’s certificate of merit.

Also at the ceremony, the Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company signed an agreement to provide VND10.5 billion for the NFVC.