New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson presents the New Zealand Government's 2 million NZD package to help Vietnam recover from the COVID-19 pandemic to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu. Photo: baochinhphu.vn

The package includes 1 million NZD for medical supplies, through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam, and 1 million NZD for projects focusing on livelihood restoration for disadvantaged communities in Vietnam through CARE International, and Oxfam in Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson affirmed that humanitarian assistance has always been an important part of the New Zealand-Vietnam strategic partnership.

“By working closely with many trusted partners, this holistic approach will hopefully set a strong course for recovery. It is now more important than ever that we work quickly at pace, to achieve our collective vision of a strong, prosperous and resilient Vietnam,” she said.

The New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam has over the past two years collaborated with Vietnamese and international partners to successfully implement multiple projects to help Vietnam respond to the pandemic. These humanitarian assistance projects worth 270,000 NZD have helped more than 3,300 female workers in various sectors, 130 children with disabilities and the deaf community in Vietnam.