Four vulnerable groups in 14 provinces and cities across Vietnam will benefit from a one-year project worth US$2.8 million donated by the Japanese government.

The project "Mitigating Covid-19 impacts on vulnerable populations", launched in Hanoi on April 26, aims to aid the Vietnamese government’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of Covid-19 on vulnerable populations to ensure national progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Vietnam.

It plans to intervene on four areas, namely gender-based violence, improvement of elderly care, sexual and reproductive health, and support for returning Vietnamese migrants.

The project will be conducted from April 2021 to March 2022 in 14 cities and provinces nationwide, including Thai Nguyen, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Da Nang, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Dak Lak, An Giang, Can Tho, Vinh Long and Ho Chi Minh City.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Takio Yamada, Japanese ambassador to Vietnam, said the Japanese people never forget the heartfelt help of Vietnamese friends for victims of the devastating 2011 tsunami.

“Mitigating Covid-19 impacts on vulnerable populations” project was launched on April 26. Photo: Vietnam+

Japanese also received face masks from Vietnam, right at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, as a global supply chain was interrupted, resulting in a shortage of medical materials in many countries, including Japan, the ambassador added.

"The project we are launching today is a continuation of this beautiful friendship between Japan and Vietnam," said Takio Yamada.

For his part, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Vietnam Naomi Kitahara said although Vietnam's response to Covid-19 has been one of the most effective in the world. Many people, including women and girls, the elderly, and youth, continue to be impacted by the multiple effects of the pandemic.

Kitahara noted a pre-existing prevalence of violence against women and girls has been exacerbated in the context of Covid-19.

For Vietnam to achieve the SDGs, it is needed to mitigate Ccovid-19 impacts, Kitahara continued, saying it is important to ensure all people are part of the sustainable development process so no one will be left behind. She expected the project would make a great leap for Vietnam to stay committed to fulfilling the SDGs.

Le Bach Duong, UNFPA assistant representative, said the project would intervene in four areas - gender based violence, quality care for the elderly, sexual and reproductive health, and supporting young returning migrant workers.

“Under the project, about 1,000 elders will be provided with high-quality health care and support services in selected cities and provinces while some 58,000 others are expected to benefit from telehealth services. Some 50 businesses will join hands to offer the best support for the elders,” said Duong.

About 5,000 ethnic minority women will benefit from a mobile application offering information and consultation on sexual and reproductive health care while 45 district-level public clinics will receive medical equipment to protect their health workers from Covid-19.

It will also register returning migrant workers into training courses on soft skills and comprehensive gender education and provide them with counselling in sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence prevention and career.