Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
KOICA expands anti-virus efforts in Vietnam
Members of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) and KOICA Vietnam Alumni after KOICA delivered emergency relief to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam last month. / Courtesy of KOICA
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the government-affiliated overseas aid agency, has been stepping up support for the needy in Vietnam amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
KOICA said last week it offered emergency relief worth $10,530 in April for women and children, poor and disabled people, patients, migrants, the jobless and others in COVID-19 infected areas.
The relief items ranged from face masks to sanitizers and food.
The support for those in the “blind spot of government support” was made in cooperation with Vietnam Women's Union (VWU).
It said KOICA Vietnam Alumni, a group of former KOICA trainees from Vietnam, has served as a “platform” in the COVID-19 emergency relief.
“We think highly of the Vietnam government's efforts to overcome COVID-19 and KOICA is willing to contribute supporting the vulnerable through the alumni association,” said KOICA Vietnam Country Director Cho Han-deog. “The value of international solidarity, mutual trust and cooperation are fundamental to overcome COVID-19 together.”
KOICA Vietnam Alumni President Truong Ngoc Nam said the alumni “will make the greatest efforts to promote various social contribution activities to overcome COVID-19 in Vietnam.”
VWU Vice Chairman Tran Thi Huong thanked the Korean government for its support for Vietnamese students and workers in Korea, as well as KOICA for its help in Vietnam.
Established in 1991, KOICA runs various projects on social and economic sectors in developing countries. The purpose is to build friendly and collaborative relationships as well as mutual exchanges.
KOICA has been working on a three-year project, titled “Capacity building on gender equality, women's empowerment and girls protection,” with the VWU.
The project includes specialized training courses for various VWU officials, including those in policy advice, vocational training, and gender equality divisions.
Among other KOICA projects is removal of landmines and unexploded bombs buried in Vietnam. Beginning in 2016, the project has been jointly carried out with the Vietnam National Mine Action Center and the U.N. Development Program.
The explosives are from the Vietnam War and are buried in about 19 percent of the land there, according to the Vietnamese government.
The project is to enhance the safety of Vietnamese people, especially those in the central region, and improve their living conditions.