Ho Chi Minh City will create favourable conditions for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to effectively implement humanitarian projects and programmes, said a local official.

Vice President of the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) Phung Cong Dung made the promise at an annual gathering with foreign NGOs in the city on April 26.

Dung said over the past years, foreign NGOs have actively carried out a range of charitable projects and programmes, helping improve living conditions of poor and disadvantaged people in the city.

Representatives of NGOs said they want to expand their projects to localities in HCM City and southern provinces and cities, and expect to receive support from local authorities in the implementation of projects, especially those on vocational training for the youth and environmental protection.

Tran Thi Thu Thuy, Head of the Representative Office of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) suggested foreign NGOs coordinate closely with HUFO in conducting surveys so as to receive suitable assistance.

HCM City is now home to 161 licensed foreign NGOs. In 2016, the city received more than US$52 million from foreign NGOs with 13 projects and 163 non-project grant aid packages.

In the first quarter of 2017, HCM City received almost US$9 million from foreign NGOs, with 4 projects and 29 non-project grant aid packages. Most of the projects focus on healthcare, education-training, environmental protection and climate change.

VNA