New Zealand supports the recovery of Vietnam

As humanitarian support remains an important part of the strategic partnership between New Zealand and Vietnam, New Zealand's Ambassador Tredene Dobson said that there is a two-fold approach for the recovery project.

"On the one hand, there is an ongoing health response and this is why Aotearoa New Zealand is working with UNICEF to deliver medical equipment to areas where it is needed for the ongoing safe and effective response to the pandemic."

"However, there has also been a significant economic impact so, in consultation with the government of Vietnam, we wanted to ensure that this project also supported the economic recovery in some of the country's most vulnerable communities – both in major urban centres and in hard-hit rural areas," said the ambassador.

Dobson highlighted that it is now more important than ever that we work quickly to achieve the collective vision of a strong, prosperous, and resilient Vietnam.

The partnership with UNICEF Vietnam will focus on providing medical equipment to support the vaccination and treatment of children.

Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative in Vietnam said, “Health systems have experienced terrible disruptions to essential care and other social services worldwide. This has had a significant impact on the well-being of children and women beyond that of the disease itself."

While it is necessary to focus on the response to the pandemic, it is essential to also strengthen the preparedness of the health system for future outbreaks. Evidence shows that countries with a health expenditure below $150 per capita will not be able to adequately prepare for or respond to future pandemics. They will not be able to close gaps in immunisation or meet targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals.

Flowers stated, "Building on Vietnam’s remarkable achievements, it is now critical to invest more to strengthen health systems so that children and the communities have a better chance to survive and thrive in the future. The medical equipment provided by New Zealand will contribute to the preparedness of the health system for future outbreaks.”

The projects with CARE International and Oxfam in Vietnam will support a total of 5,400 people who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Most assistance will be directed to women, people with disabilities, and members of ethnic minority communities in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Quang Tri, and Ha Giang.

Speaking of the collaboration with New Zealand, Le Kim Dung, country director of CARE International in Vietnam said, “By applying a gender-responsive approach for conducting activities, we are making sure that poor and marginalised ethnic minority people of all genders equitably benefit from immediate assistance and development support. Once recovered from the effect, they will gradually build their ability to withstand shocks and remain resilient in the long term.”

Vu Thi Quynh Hoa, national director of Oxfam in Vietnam also shared, “With this project, Oxfam and its partners will provide training and financial assistance for at least 2,300 informal workers such as street vendors, small family shops, and lottery ticket sellers in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong for them to build their resilience. We will focus on helping women and people with disabilities as they are the most affected by the recent events."