(VNF) - The World Vision International (WVI) pledges to continue its contributions to poverty reduction, sustainable development, and climate change mitigation in Vietnam, its President Kevin Jenkins assured President Tran Dai Quang during a meeting in Hanoi on September 28^th.

President Tran Dai Quang and WVI President Kevin Jenkins (Source: VNA)

Mr. Jenkins thanked the Vietnamese leader for appreciating WVI’s activities in Vietnam, adding that the organization committed to support Vietnam’s realization of the millennium goals for sustainability, especially in poverty reduction, healthcare, climate change response and education.

President Quang congratulated Mr. Jenkins on receiving the Friendship Order – the highest decoration of the Vietnamese State in honour of foreign inpiduals and organizations which foster friendship between Vietnam and countries worldwide.

He praised WVI for introducing sustainable and comprehensive approaches to poverty reduction in Vietnam.

On the occasion, President Quang asked WVI to continue standing side by side with Vietnam to deal with difficulties regarding rural development, health care and education infrastructure for residents living in remote and mountainous areas, as well as disaster mitigation.

WVI started working in Vietnam with emergency relief assistance in 1988 and opened an office in Hanoi in 1990.

Among over 500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Vietnam, WVI is one of the first ones operating in the country.

Since 1990, World Vision has implemented many relief, development and advocacy programmes, partnering with the Vietnamese government, other non-governmental organizations and communities.

Every year, about 3 million children benefit from World Vision Vietnam’s programs, which are operated in 15 provinces and cities throughout Vietnam./.

Minh Phuong