KOICA Improves COVID-19 Response and Health Environment in Poor Areas of Vietnam

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Health Center Held in Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam... Inclusive Rural Development Project Kicks Off
Support of 100 Million KRW Worth of Quarantine Supplies to Prevent Local Spread of COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a health center in Tuyen Quang Province, a representative impoverished area located in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, on the 24th (local time), and delivered emergency COVID-19 response supplies worth 100 million KRW.

Tuyen Quang Province is historically significant as a stronghold of the independence movement during the war with France. However, due to its mountainous terrain, accessibility is poor and arable land is limited, resulting in low income levels. Recently, due to the impact of COVID-19, 86% of the local population engaged in agriculture have faced difficulties in economic activities such as agricultural product distribution, and the aging health center facilities and infrastructure have become obstacles to long-term COVID-19 response.

To improve the quality of life for residents of Tuyen Quang Province, KOICA is implementing the "Tuyen Quang Inclusive Rural Development Program," which comprehensively supports △ education and health environment improvement △ women’s empowerment △ income increase △ rural infrastructure improvement △ and local administrative capacity enhancement. As the first signal of the program, KOICA held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Vinh Loi Health Center in Son Dinh District, Tuyen Quang Province.

Following the Vinh Loi Health Center, KOICA plans to sequentially construct kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools, and health centers at nine project sites in two districts (Son Dinh and Ham Yen) within Tuyen Quang Province. Additionally, KOICA will simultaneously support village road construction, income increase pilot projects, and capacity building in education, health, and local administration to help Tuyen Quang Province grow sustainably.

On this day, KOICA also delivered quarantine supplies worth 100 million KRW, including protective suits, hand sanitizers, masks, and thermometers, to the Tuyen Quang Provincial People's Committee to support emergency COVID-19 response. The supplies will be stocked at 13 health centers, 32 schools, and 5 quarantine facilities for overseas arrivals within Tuyen Quang Province and will be provided to local residents and students.

Jo Han-duk, head of KOICA’s Vietnam office, who participated in the event, said, “Border closures and economic activity contraction due to COVID-19 hit vulnerable groups harder, so national cooperation and solidarity are necessary to ensure no one is left behind. KOICA will strive to support vulnerable groups and regions in Vietnam more quickly and efficiently.”

Pham Minh Hoan, chairman of the Tuyen Quang Provincial People's Committee, said, “There are high expectations for the Tuyen Quang Inclusive Rural Program, which has been fully launched with the groundbreaking of the health center, and we will actively cooperate with KOICA to ensure the project’s success. We also express deep gratitude for the provision of emergency supplies to help overcome COVID-19 in Tuyen Quang Province.”

Meanwhile, KOICA has successfully implemented rural development programs in Quang Tri and Lao Cai provinces in Vietnam. In particular, by promoting customized rural development considering the economic and social characteristics of Vietnam’s rural areas, KOICA has achieved results in strengthening the self-reliance capacity and improving the quality of life of ethnic minorities (women, children, and vulnerable groups) in mountainous areas.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.