The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations has called on foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to fund sustainable development projects which remain in need of assistance in the city and in Vietnam as well. 

A panoramic view of am annual meeting betwen the Ho Chi Minh City Union
of Friendship Organisations and foreign NGOs on January 12. (Photo: VNA)

Dr. Vuong Duc Hoang Quan, chairman of the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations made the call during an annual meeting with foreign NGOs in the city on January 12.

According to Quan, support and assistance will be focused on areas such as education and vocational training development, medical services for the poor, HIV/AIDS and drug prevention and control.

Funds will also be used to raise public awareness of and exercise the rights of children and women, raise community awareness of environmental protection, and promote traffic safety.

The HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations will work closely with its partners to manage and utilize the grants practically and effectively, Quan said.

He thanked foreign consular offices, business associations, organisations and NGOs for having funded development projects over the past year, helping improve the spiritual and material life of Vietnamese people in the city and the country in general.

Currently as many as 163 foreign NGOs have been permitted to operate in HCM City in various areas such as health, education-training, social welfare, community development, the environment and climate change, among others. In 2020 they have committed nearly US$84.2 million for development projects in the city.