Save the Children Japan Improves Livelihoods and Healthcare for Women and Children in Mountainous Areas

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The signing ceremony of the grant agreement for the project “Improving Livelihoods for Ethnic Minority Communities in Son La Province through Agriculture and Nutrition Enhancement.” (Photo: Mai Anh)

The project is being implemented in Bac Yen and Sop Cop districts (formerly of Son La Province), aiming to strengthen agricultural production capacity among disadvantaged ethnic minority households. It seeks to contribute to food security, improve incomes, and enhance the health of women and children. With the coordination of agricultural and healthcare agencies and relevant partners, the project pursues the goal of promoting sustainable socio-economic development in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam.

Project activities include enhancing agricultural production and product circulation to improve income through the training of technical officers, farmer workshops on model gardens, seed and livestock provision, vaccination guidance, and infrastructure improvement for production. It also supports better nutrition for mothers and children by building capacity for health workers, encouraging antenatal care, providing nutrition counseling, organizing parent groups to share child care knowledge, and promoting breastfeeding. Additionally, the project proposes policy recommendations and disseminates successful models through workshops, local newsletters, and social media to replicate outcomes. It also focuses on strengthening local government capacity to sustain and expand results after the project concludes.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki speaking at the signing ceremony. (Photo: Mai Anh)

Speaking at the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki appreciated the project’s effectiveness in helping Son La residents improve their livelihoods, increase income, and enhance their quality of life. He emphasized that the project’s practical activities have produced positive results, contributing to poverty reduction and improving the living standards of ethnic minority communities. The Ambassador expressed his hope that the project, in its final year, would continue to achieve even greater results, helping local people lead better lives. He also hoped that organizations and partners would continue accompanying the people of Son La during project implementation.

Nagino Kosuke, Cooperation and Aid Resources Manager at Save the Children Japan, stated that Vietnam is one of the priority countries supported by the organization. Since 1995, Save the Children Japan has closely cooperated with Vietnamese agencies across various fields, from economic development and education to disaster risk reduction. The Son La project is being carried out in the province’s poorest communes, where the poverty rate stands at 32% and the rate of stunting among children under two years old reaches 35.6%. After two years of implementation, surveys show that 93% of beneficiary households reported improved food supply thanks to vegetable cultivation and poultry raising. Nagino expressed confidence that with close coordination among the Embassy of Japan, local authorities, and partner organizations, the project will continue to achieve its expected results and objectives, bringing about positive and sustainable changes for local communities.

Nagino Kosuke, Cooperation and Aid Resources Manager at Save the Children Japan. (Photo: Mai Anh)

Vu Tuong Anh, Director of Finance and Support Services at Save the Children Vietnam, affirmed that over nearly 20 years, the trust and consistent support from the Government of Japan have contributed to positive changes in healthcare and nutrition, particularly in protecting and caring for maternal and child health. She emphasized that the Son La project is a vivid example of this humanitarian cooperation, as it not only helps local people access healthcare and nutrition services but also strengthens the capacity of local authorities and communities to sustain and expand achieved outcomes.

Entering the final year of the project, Vu Tuong Anh stressed that Save the Children remains committed to close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, Save the Children Japan, and relevant Vietnamese government agencies to ensure transparent and effective use of aid resources, creating lasting impacts for local people and children. The organization also hopes to continue receiving the trust and partnership of the Japanese Government and people in future endeavors, jointly expanding the project’s positive results, contributing to the comprehensive development of children and communities, and advancing Vietnam’s sustainable development goals.

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