International Day of Persons with Disabilities marked in Hanoi

At the event, Dao Hong Lan, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and vice chairwoman of National Committee for Vietnamese Persons with Disabilities (PWD), said Vietnam has nearly 8 million PWDs, accounting for 7.8% of its population, including 1.2 million disabled children. Vietnam has one of the highest proportions of PWDs in the Asia-Pacific region. Many Vietnamese PWDs, especially Agent Orange/Dioxin victims, live in difficulty.

Over the past time, Vietnam has issued policies and implemented action programs to improve living conditions for the disabled. With support from the State, communities, and international organizations, PWDs have been provided with social allowances, housing, education, health care, vocational training, jobs, and preferential loans. However, available social supports have yet to meet many PWDs’ urgent and essential needs. Many PWDs are poor, illiterate, and unemployed and unable to access the necessary social services. They rely on assistance from their families and communities.

Mrs Lan said the meeting provided a good opportunity for State agencies, organisations and individuals to accompany PWDs and implement commitments to supporting them in having a better life.