In a rare move, 78 agencies represent foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Vietnam and the development community in the country have expressed their “deepest gratitude, respect, and support” to Vietnam for “timely, effective, and transparent response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
| 78 foreign NGOs are operating in Vietnam |
Their special thanks are given to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and other members of the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations Affairs (COMINGO), Vietnam Red Cross National Society; relevant ministries, departments, local authorities, and other agencies.
“We are humbled and impressed by Vietnam’s response to the outbreak, which has received a wide international recognition. Despite the population of over 95 million people and a close proximity to the global epicentre, the government of Vietnam promptly implemented effective measures to combat Covid-19, which have been observed and praised worldwide. Hospitals and clinics remain focused on the citizens’ health and safety, prioritizing people over profits,” the foreign NGOs said in a joint letter.
| Vietnam mobilizes all fronts in the fight against the virus. Photo: Reuters |
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc declared the novel coronavirus epidemic on February 1, following the sixth confirmed case of infection in the country. Strategies to combat the outbreak were developed immediately afterwards.
The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control was established; the official guidelines for Covid-19 treatment were released; relevant ministries created an app that enabled individuals to voluntary report their health status, thus helping the distribution of crucial information from the public to relevant authorities in real time.
On April 1, the prime minister declared a nationwide pandemic after the second wave of Covid-19 cases. Additional preventive measures were introduced to help fight against the pandemic, to monitor affected areas and to mobilize more resources.
| Sentiment towards the fight against coronavirus in Vietnam is strong. Photo: Minhbeta Facebook |
The existing measures were reinforced, including social distancing; no large gatherings of people; shutdowns of non-essential businesses, restaurants, entertainment establishments and tourist sites.
Supermarkets and essential services remained open to date, while enforcing basic safeguarding measures, including checking the body temperature of every individual and sanitizing hands. A few cases of “panic buying” and price gouging were instantly prevented.
The NGOs applaud all scientists, doctors, nurses and other medical staff who are working long hours, testing thousands of people, and providing care to those infected. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, and the People’s Committees mobilized all resources to isolate potential cases of people with confirmed Covid-19 infections. All confirmed cases have been quarantined, hospitalized and given a professional medical care, always performed in a humane and dignified way — foreigners and Vietnamese alike.
“We endorse the Prime Minister’s statement regarding the Government’s “determination to protect public health in spite of having to sacrifice short-term economic gain” and we strongly support the government’s focus on the most marginalized people in need, the poor and the disadvantaged, as well as everyone whose life has been affected by the pandemic,” writes the letter.
They noted that when the Covid-19 pandemic commenced, they continued to support vulnerable communities, stand together with the Vietnamese people, ready to assist the government’s efforts in combating Covid-19.
They are committed to provide foreign aid and continue assistance after the crisis is over.
The signing foreign NGOs operating in Vietnam include:
1. Action on Poverty
2. ActionAid Vietnam
3. ADRA in Vietnam
4. Aide et Action Vietnam
5. American Red Cross Vietnam
6. Animals Asia
7. BIDMC-HAIVN
8. Bread for the World
9. Care for Children
10. CARE International in Vietnam
11. Catholic Relief Services Vietnam
12. CBM Vietnam
13. Chemonics International Inc. in Vietnam
14. ChildFund Vietnam
15. Clinton Health Access Initiative
16. CWS
17. DGRV German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation
18. East Meets West Foundation
19. Eye Care Foundation
20. Fauna & Flora International
21. FHI360
22. Football for All in Vietnam
23. Foundation for International Development Relief
24. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Vietnam Office
25. German Red Cross
26. Golden West
27. Habitat for Humanity in Vietnam
28. Hagar International in Vietnam
29. Hannah's Promise International Aid
30. Hanns Seidel Stiftung Vietnam
31. HealthBridge Foundation of Canada
32. Helen Keller International
33. HELVETAS Vietnam
34. Hope Unending
35. Hue Help
36. Humanity & Inclusion
37. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
38. Loreto Vietnam
39. MAG Vietnam
40. MCC Vietnam
41. MCNV Vietnam
42. MDF Training & Consultancy Vietnam
43. Mekong Plus
44. Merry Year International
45. Netherlands Development Organization – SNV
46. Norwegian Mission Alliance Vietnam
47. Norwegian People’s Aid
48. Operation Smile Inc., Asia Pacific
49. Orbis International – Vietnam Office
50. Oxfam in Vietnam
51. PATH
52. Plan International Vietnam
53. PSI in Vietnam
54. Rikolto in Vietnam
55. Room to Read
56. Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Southeast Asia
57. Saigon Children’s Charity CIO
58. Samaritan’s Purse
59. Save the Children
60. Swiss Red Cross in Vietnam
61. Taiwan Fund for Children and Families
62. The Asia Foundation
63. The Fred Hollows Foundation in Vietnam
64. The International Center
65. The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
66. TRAFFIC Vietnam
67. Union Aid Abroad APHEDA in Vietnam
68. Veterans For Peace Chapter 160
69. Vets With A Mission
70. VinaCapital Foundation
71. VNAH Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped
72. VUFO-NGO Resource Centre
73. VVOB Vietnam
74. WCS Wildlife Conservation Society
75. Winrock International
76. World University Service of Canada
77. World Vision Vietnam
78. WWF Vietnam
