Vietnam PM OKs Project on Care Provision for Disadvantaged Children by 2020

The Vietnamese prime minister has approved a community-based project to look for disadvantaged children in the 2013-2020 period. Beneficiaries are orphans, abandoned children, HIV/AIDS carriers, children with severe disabilities and victims of natural disasters and toxic chemicals. The project aims to call for greater participation of the entire society, especially families and local communities in caring for the underprivileged children. As planned, up to 95% of the children will receive assistance and access to social services; suitable care models will be developed for those, who are severely disabled, victims of toxic chemicals and HIV/AIDS carriers; and the quality of care for especially deprived children at social welfare centers will be boosted. Policies and legal documents related to the participation of the community in caring for disadvantaged children will be adopted under the project. Vietnam remains home to 1.7% or 1.54 million of vulnerable children, including victims of human trafficking, maltreatment, and those living in poor families and suffering injury. (baodientu.chinhphu.vn May 2)