The Handover Ceremony was co-hosted by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh - Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VNFU), Mrs. Naomi Kitahara – Chief Representative of UNFPA Vietnam, Mr. Cho Han-Deog – Country Director of KOICA Vietnam. Present at the ceremony, there are also representative leaders of other departments and staffs of two organizations.
 

This is a successive event of previous handover ceremonies of the dignity kits between UNFPA and the Central Committee of Vietnam Farmers’ Union to contribute to reducing the negative consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic for women at high risk of gender-based violence including those affected by storms and floods in Vietnam. Up to now, 15,707 kits have been given to female farmers and girls in 9 provinces and cities.


Speaking at the ceremony, VNFU’s Vice Chairman Nguyen Xuan Dinh acknowledged and highly appreciated the companionship, support and close coordination between UNFPA Vietnam and the VNFU’s Central Committee in the aspects of population, reproductive health care, gender equality, prevention of violence against women and girls in Vietnam from 1993 to present. On behalf of the VNFU’s Central Committee, Vice Chairman Nguyen Xuan Dinh also expressed his respect and thanks to UNFPA Vietnam, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Australian Government and the Japanese Government for this timely understanding, cooperation and support.


"Since April 2021, the 4th outbreak of Covid-19 with its wide spread and rapid dissemination has caused great impacts to many provinces and cities across Vietnam. Meanwhile, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh provinces and Ho Chi Minh City are the most affected localities.The direct support for female members and farmers is a noble, timely and effective action for women in these provinces and cities. Vietnam Farmers’ Union is committed to immediately handing out the dignity kits to women and girls in need; ensuring the right beneficiaries and the amount allocated according to the agreed plan between the parties" - Vice Chairman of Vietnam Farmers’ Union Nguyen Xuan Dinh affirmed.


In addition, Mr. Dinh also expressed his impression about value chains connecting supply and demand of agricultural products that is being implemented very effectively in Japan and Korea.  He said: Currently, VNFU is boosting the promotion and connecting the consumption of agricultural products for farmers. In the coming time, VNFU would like to learn from specific experiences and receive cooperation and support from KOICA as well as the Japanese Government to improve the capacity of VNFU’s officials and support Vietnamese farmers to increase the number of the supply-demand connection chains for agricultural products.


At the beginning of the ceremony, Ms. Naomi Kitahara - UNFPA Representative in Vietnam shared: Regularly maintaining personal hygiene is essential to help women feel comfortable, confident and secure to health even in the event of a disaster or crisis. An emergency kit includes basic, essential items that women and girls need to protect themselves and maintain personal hygiene in times of crisis. This is also a signature product of UNFPA's comprehensive package of humanitarian assistance to safeguard sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, prevent and respond to gender-based violence as well as the rights of women and girls, and reduce the risk of gender-based violence.


In order to ensure that the unique needs of women and girls are met even in emergency situations, since the mid-1990s, UNFPA has been supplying dignity kits for emergency situations of humanitarian crisis around the world. In addition to the essential items, the attached information and knowledge on how to protect yourself from gender-based violence is very useful for women and girls.


 “All women and children in Vietnam, including those most vulnerable, have the right to live a life free of violence; support to meet their special needs must be prioritized in the response to the Covid-19 context. This is to ensure that everyone is a part of the country's sustainable development process, leaving no one behind," said Naomi Kitahara.


“The United Nations Population Fund believes in the great support of the Vietnamese Farmers’ Union in ensuring the distribution of these emergency kits to women and girls at risk of gender-based violence as a consequent part of the Covid-19 pandemic in the provinces of Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City", emphasized Ms. Naomi Kitahara.


Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Cho Han-Deog- Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Vietnam office expressed his delight at today's handover ceremony. This is considered another demonstration for countries to join hands in efforts to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, the Korean Government also supported Vietnam with 40 remote temperature monitors (installed at Vietnam's international airports); 30 million needles and 30,000 safe boxes to contribute to the safe and effective implementation of the vaccination campaign nationwide.


"This is a clear symbol of the close friendship between countries, taking place in the context of many difficulties and impacts due to the Covid-19 pandemic," said Mr. Cho Han-Deog.

 
UNPA staff in Vietnam introduced about the kit with 21 essential items, of which 4 items are suitable for Covid-19 prevention and control requirements.