Việt Nam, Canada red cross societies eye long-term cooperation

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) and its Canadian counterpart have agreed to support each other in humanitarian activities and look towards a long-term cooperation agreement in the future.

Vice President and Secretary General of the VRCS Nguyễn Hải Anh told visiting President and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) Conrad Sauvé during their talks in Hà Nội on May 21 that he is delighted at the fruitful cooperation between the two countries and the associations.

Anh spoke highly of the Canadian government and the CRC for their support to Viet Nam, both material and spiritual, and in international activities.

The VRCS will further back the CRC to engage in the executive councils of the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, and support its Canadian counterpart in movements.

Sauvé said both Việt Nam and Canada face challenges such as climate change and natural disasters, and possible risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and socio-economic impacts of armed conflicts.

The CRC has strength in spheres like public healthcare, humanitarian aid, personnel training, technological application, and emergency aid, he said, affirming that Canada stands ready to help Việt Nam in these areas.

Briefing the guest on the VRCS’ operations, Anh said his association is actively participating in the Government’s major programmes, including those on poverty reduction, new-style rural area building, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited regions.

The VRCS is willing to cooperate with Canada to implement programmes on public healthcare given the impacts of extreme heat, he stressed.

The two sides also concurred to cooperate in supporting their governments to address climate change impacts, improving the capacity of their workers, digital transformation, volunteer management and development, public healthcare and emergency aid. VNS