Speaking at the event, Mr. Pham Quang Tu, Deputy Country Director, Oxfam Vietnam, appreciated the solidarity from the New Zealand and Swiss Embassies in providing support to people in need and leaving no-one behind. Humanitarian assistance is an important program in Oxfam’s country strategy. Cash provision is the first line of critical and pragmatic support, which offers people a maximum degree of choice, flexibility and dignity.
Representatives of the Embassies of New Zealand and Swiss at the online announcement. (Source: vietbao.vn)
“We will also do further research to identify priorities in supporting communities’ recovery from the COVID-19 crisis,” he added.
Over the next three months, the aid package will provide cash relief of 1.5 million VND to those in most need, following the on-going humanitarian crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in the epicenter of Ho Chi Minh City.
Over 700 of the most vulnerable migrant workers, especially women, in the most severely hit districts (Districts 4, 6, 9, 7, 11, 12 and Bình Thạnh), will receive a cash grant to help purchase essentials such as food and medicine.
The cash grants will be delivered by Oxfam’s partner organisations - the Center for Disability and Development (DRD), and the Center for Social Work Research and Community Development (SDRC) – who will work closely with local government and mass organizations.
“This project demonstrates the strong partnership between New Zealand and Vietnam,” said New Zealand Chargé d’Affaires to Vietnam, Joseph Mayhew. “This project is a practical initiative to help ease the economic impacts of COVID-19 on workers and their families. I am proud to say that through the Head of Embassy’s Fund, we have been able to support more than 3,000 women throughout Vietnam impacted by COVID-19 in the last 12 months.”
“Switzerland stands with Vietnam to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, Switzerland has delivered medical supplies worth USD 5.5 million (VND 126 billion) to Vietnam. Today, the Swiss Embassy is pleased to announce our humanitarian contribution to support vulnerable groups in HCMC, in joint partnership with Oxfam and SDRC,” said Vanessa Di Giorgi, Diplomatic Attaché at the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam.
The relief package was established following rapid assessments in August 2021 conducted by Oxfam in Vietnam, and the two partner organizations, among migrant workers affected by COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City.
The assessment found many informal migrant workers are facing a downward spiral of survival hardship. They have lost their jobs and income due to prolonged social distancing, and have few other options for receiving support./.