(VOVWORLD) - A national conference on social work for people with disabilities was held in Hanoi on Wednesday. Vietnam has about 6.2 million people with a disability, of which 58% are women and 30% children.
Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economics Commission Cao Duc Phat told the seminar that state agencies have ensured the living conditions of people with disabilities, created conditions for them to enjoy their rights, and encouraged them to overcome their disadvantages to integrate in society. The government has also mobilized social resources to help people with disabilities gain more independence in life.
Bradley Bessire, a representative from the USAID, hailed Vietnam’s results in the field and said that Vietnam has always been a reliable partner of USAID.
Since 1999 USAID has donated 125 million USD to Vietnamese people with disabilities to improve their lives. It has committed to continue the course with a fund of 65 million USD in the next 5 years.
Sitara Syed, Deputy Chief of UNDP in Vietnam, said the agency has worked with Vietnam to review the Law on People with a Disability after 10 years of implementation. UNDP has organized training courses on the UN Convention on the Rights of People and Children With Disabilities.
Delegates discussed social models to ensure social security, welfare, and jobs for the disabled and recommended measures to effectively implement policies for people with a disability.