2021: Dak Lak receives nearly 1.8 million USD from foreign aid

In 2021, the difficult situation of both the world and Vietnam, especially the strong impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly affected the activities of foreign non-governmental organizations (FNGOs) and FNG aid mobilization of Dak Lak. In that context, the Provincial People's Committee has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to strengthen the initiative, flexibility and apply more appropriate advocacy methods. Despite facing many difficulties, FNG work in Dak Lak in 2021 achieved very encouraging results thanks to the timely support of central ministries/sectors, close coordination of the provincial agencies and units as well as the active cooperation of FNGOs.

As of December 10, 2021, Dak Lak has received 15 new grants with a total committed capital of nearly $1,725 ​​million from 12 foreign donors, reaching 132% of the annual target under the Program to strengthen cooperation and mobilize FNG aid of Dak Lak province for the period of 2020 - 2025 issued in Decision No. 584/QD-UBND dated March 23, 2020 of the Provincial People's Committee. In addition, 04 other grants with a total committed value of more than $0.1 million are being appraised and expected to receive in December 2021. Up to now, there have been 25 grants in Dak Lak province, from 19 foreign donors approved by the Provincial People's Committee with a total committed value of 3,166 million USD, implemented in the fields of: healthcare, education, natural resources - environment, integrated rural development, solving social problems, which helped many localities in the province to overcome their difficulties and contributed to support the provincial socio-economic development as well. In the context of the world, Vietnam and FNGOs themselves facing many difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this achievement is a proof of the efforts and strivings of all political levels and sectors in the province.

In that joint effort, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DOFA) regularly introduced possible aid sources and actively guided agencies and units in the province to approach potential foreign donors as well as discussed and supported them during the process of implementing cooperation activities with FNGOs. In addition, DOFA also actively kept in touch, provided supports, guidance and quick handling of procedures of the Department authority for donors in the process of exploring and implementing aids in the province. So as to further enhance the effectiveness of aid mobilization, DOFA has drawn up outlines for 12 new small-scale projects of diverse callings, such as building classrooms, supplementing medical equipment, building construction of rural works, cultural preservation, etc. to make a database ready to be provided to donors when needed; introduce cooperation needs with donors through articles on digital news of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a result, Dak Lak has established effective and substantive relationships with partners, making a significant contribution to hunger eradication, poverty reduction, sustainable development and expansion of people-to-people relations; continued to attract interest and continued funding in 2021 and the coming period from traditional partners such as: Animals Asia Foundation (Hongkong, China), Room to Read (USA), Health Poverty Action (UK), Kinderhilfe (Germany), Jeollabuk-do Center for International Cooperation (South Korea), JVEC (South Korea)… Several organizations have sponsored even 02 new grants for Dak Lak in 2021, such as: Save the Children (UK), Esperance (Switzerland), Children Action (Switzerland) and there was also first-time donor like Jeollabuk-do Saemaul Undong Center (South Korea) via the introduction of a close partner.

As the province's FNG aid mobilization in the coming time is forecasted to face many difficulties, in addition to maintaining and consolidating the established good relationship with donors, DOFA will continue to promote its role as a bridge between donors and partners in the province with the motto of accompanying and providing maximum support to FNGOs during their operations in the province; further strengthen the initiative in approaching potential donors; especially taking advantage of the relationship of friendship organizations and the cooperation of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; at the same time, regularly foster knowledge and skills for the aid mobilization team to improve the effectiveness of aid mobilization to support the province development. The priority areas calling for aid in the coming time include: Education, health, agriculture, rural development and solving social problems.

Information about a number of projects calling for funding in Dak Lak is currently posted at our website www.songoaivu.daklak.gov.vn. DOFA always welcomes and ready to provide more details to all donors via email: daklakdofa@gmail.com, phone: 0262.3842920 (International Cooperation Division).