Viet Nam’s COVID-19 response initiative lauded on international media
International public opinion has welcomed and highly valued Viet Nam’s initiative to set up a national vaccine fund, which is part of the country’s efforts to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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| Viet Nam’s COVID-19 response initiative lauded. (Photo: VNA) |
The fund was officially inaugurated on June 5, with an aim of mobilising social resources so as to facilitate the purchase and importation of vaccines as well as the research and production of homegrown ones.
Nikkei Asia has recently reported that the establishment of the fund plays a role in financing the vaccination drive, a crucial weapon in the country's battle against the pandemic and to protect manufacturing supply chains, which are a key economic engine for Viet Nam.
According to Nikkei Asia, European businesses said they are also keen to contribute to the fund.
It quoted Alain Cany, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Viet Nam, as saying “this is a very positive move, not just for European business but for Viet Nam as a whole".
Meanwhile, Mary Tarnowka, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (AmCham Viet Nam), said that many members of AmCham Viet Nam have indicated willingness to help pay the cost of vaccinating their employees.
Representatives of international organisations in Viet Nam have also lauded the initiative.
Dr. Kidong Park, WHO Representative in Viet Nam, said the mobilisation to improve access to COVID-19 vaccine of the Vietnamese Government is carried out in a timely manner and in line with the global vaccine initiative.
The Government manages and equitably uses donations from individuals and private firms, and this is hoped to result in new values for the strategy to fight the ravaging pandemic, he added.
Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam Kamal Malhotra affirmed that the initiative has received support from the UN over the months.
Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the European Union Delegation to Viet Nam, said the establishment of the vaccine fund has a significant role to play in Viet Nam’s strategy in battling COVID-19.
For her part, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam Caitlin Wiesen expressed her belief that people from all walks of life, especially businesses will respond to the Government’s call and make contributions to the newly-established fund.
Through donations to the fund, Vietnamese communities in Laos, Cambodia, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Australia and Egypt have shown their solidarity and responsibility in sharing difficulties faced by people in the homeland in the fight against the pandemic.
Viet Nam is projected to need 150 million doses of vaccine to inoculate about 75 million people at an estimated cost of 25.2 trillion VND.
(Source: VNA)
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