Plan International should widen its activities in Viet Nam in the coming years, said President Nguyen Minh Triet yesterday at a meeting held with the Plan International President Thomas Joel Miller.

The organisation’s assistance to Viet Nam, particularly children, had proved effective over the past years, he said. The Vietnamese Government had always welcomed and co-operated with non-government organisations in humanitarian activities and development, and would continue to do so in the future, Triet said.

Miller praised Viet Nam’s achievements in socio-economic development and poverty alleviation over the past years, the country’s World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership, and for organising the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC Summit) successfully this month.

Briefing the President on Plan’s activities in Viet Nam, Miller said the organisation had helped to improve the lives of about 120,000 children, families and communities in 13 provinces and cities nationwide; and granted US$50 million over the past decade for building hundreds of schools and creches.

In its national strategic plan of 2005-2010, Plan had earmarked $55 million in financial assistance, and would focus its projects on disadvantaged children and those belonging to ethnic minority people.

Plan owed its success to close co-operation with relevant Vietnamese organisations and efforts of Plan’s staff in the country, Miller said.

On the same day, Plan’s country director Deepali Khanna was presented the insignia "For Peace and Friendship Among Nations" in Ha Noi for her contributions to Viet Nam’s development.

The award was presented by Vu Xuan Hong, Chairman of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO).

Over the past four years, Khanna had through various projects and schemes helped over 40,000 Vietnamese children improve the quality of education and health care in 15 provinces and cities.

                                                                                                          (Source:VNS)