Addressing the event, Nga praised the spiritual and material support and active cooperation of more than 500 foreign NGOs in Vietnam, saying they have made important contributions to the achievements of the country during the year full of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She noted that foreign non-governmental organisations, typically those receiving the certificate of merit this time, actively responded to the call of the VUFO to join hands with the Vietnamese people in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, coping with drought and saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta provinces; and overcoming storm and flood consequences in a number of central provinces through specific, practical and timely programmes, projects and activities.

Activities of the organisations also targeted disadvantaged groups in the community such as women, children and people with disabilities, she added.

In 2020, foreign NGOs provided aid to Vietnam in many socio-economic areas such as health, education, agricultural and rural development, and social issues, protection of natural resources and environment, with a total value estimated at US$250 million.

Of which nearly US$9 million was for dealing with the aftermath of floods and storms in the central region and US$6.5 million for COVID-19 prevention and control.