A workshop on forging affiliation between the Vietnam Blind Association(VBA) and foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) was held inHanoi on June 16.

According to the People's AidCoordinating Committee (PACCOM), 213 international organisation-fundedprojects worth more than 11.4 million USD were implemented nationwide tosupport Vietnamese with disabilities in 2014. However, only 20 ofthem mentioned the blind as their beneficiaries.

Cao Van Thanh, VBA Chairman, shared disadvantages facing his members,especially those living in rural and mountainous areas.

They have no sources of income and entirely rely on their families,Thanh said adding that the association has yet established its chapterin some remote parts of the country while a number of existing chaptershave shown weak performance.

He called for greater assistance from the humanitarian communities domestically and internationally.

Phan Thanh My from the PACCOM’s coordination board pointed tolivelihood diversity, manpower training and improved health services asremedies for the issue.

According to My, theGovernment should enable the blind to access different types of jobsbesides traditional crafts while the VBA’s personnel need to be trainedin organisation and fund-raising skills.

DinhThi Tuyet from the Catholic Relief Services suggested that the VBAincrease the application of IT in their work and strengthen connectionwithin their network.

Dawn Gatherrun from theLater Day Saint Charities considered the workshop as an opportunity forhis organisation to learn about and launch joint projects with the VBA,which can help the Vietnamese association boost management capacity andcreate jobs for their disabled members.

Le TuyetNhung from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs spokehighly of NGOs’ support towards the disabled in Vietnam and noted thatthe Government always create favourable conditions for thoseorganisations to implement their meaningful works in the country.-VNA