Thua Thien Hue – On 20th July, 2024, the Red Cross Society of Thua Thien Hue province, Oxfam in Vietnam, and the New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi organized the Closing Workshop of the project “Restoring and enhancing resilient livelihoods after the Covid-19 pandemic for poor and near poor female farmers in disadvantaged communes in Thua Thien Hue province”. 

COVID-19 had a significant impact on the national economic and social situation in Viet Nam.  Vulnerable groups such as the poor and disadvantaged, women, children, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities were the most affected. Rural laborers in Thua Thien Hue province, particularly women farmers, were not exempt from this hardship. While relief packages were provided by the local government authorities and social organizations in Thua Thien Hue province, additional sustainable support solutions were needed especially to help women farmers in rural areas.

In that context, Oxfam in Vietnam and the Red Cross Society of Thua Thien Hue province, with support from the New Zealand Government, implemented the project “Restoring and enhancing resilient livelihoods after the Covid-19 pandemic for poor and near poor female farmers in disadvantaged communes in Thua Thien Hue province”. The project covered six communes of Phu Gia, Phu Dien, Giang Hai, Vinh Hung, Phong Chuong, Dien Huong in three districts of Phu Vang, Phu Loc and Phong Dien, from 1st September 2023 to 31st July 2024, with a budget of more than 4.94 billion VND.

After almost one year, the project has effectively supported 1,511 poor and near-poor women farmers, of whom 221 are people with disabilities, helping them and their family to recover and develop sustainable livelihoods. 

The women farmers participating in the project attended 30 agricultural technical training courses tailored to their needs. 1,000 women farmers received direct cash assistance of 3.2 million VND/person to restore their livelihoods. This assistance was provided in accordance with a family livelihood recovery plan which was appraised by the project for implementation feasibility.

covid

Vu Thi Quynh Hoa, National Director of Oxfam in Vietnam noted that "During the COVID-19 pandemic, women and girls were the hardest hit. This was not only a reality in Vietnam but globally. They lack support in terms of resources, have limited technical capacity for their livelihoods, and shoulder many responsibilities, including taking care of their families. In this project, we focused on supporting poor and near-poor women farmers to not only overcome the immediate effects of the pandemic, but also enhance their ability to adapt and be resilient in crises. The project has supported women to improve their capacity to plan sustainable and feasible livelihoods for their family and effectively implement the plan, thereby contributing to improving their position in the family and society”.

New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam, Caroline Rachel Beresford, emphasized, “The New Zealand Government is dedicated to supporting Viet Nam to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the economic recovery of the most vulnerable communities in the hardest hit rural areas. We are honoured to collaborate with Thừa Thiên Huế People’s Committee, Oxfam in Việt Nam, Thừa Thiên Huế Red Cross Chapter, the district Centers for Agricultural Services and farmers for this project. I am glad that the project could reach over 1,500 women poor farmers, many of whom suffered from crop loss, reduced income, unemployment, worsened health and increasing burden of care for sick family members due to COVID-19. I have no doubt that the timely capacity building and cash support have helped these farmers not only restore  but also enhance their resilient livelihoods. I also believe that the project’s achievements will be sustainable thanks to the participation and ownership of the local authorities and implementing partners, and very importantly from the farmers themselves. Thank you very much for your support, responsiveness and professionalism throughout the project’s lifetime.”

The project implementation experience has proved the importance of designing support activities based on people’s actual needs, while enhancing their active participation in all project activities to ensure their practical and long-term benefits. In addition, timely coordination between local organisations, governments at all levels and domestic relief organizations is essential to improve people's capacity to adapt to crises. 

Le Thi Hien, Chairwoman of Thua Thien Hue Red Cross Society highlighted one of the project’s important activities: "We set up a hotline to provide a public and transparent two-way feedback mechanism making it easier for people to access information, share with us their questions, concerns and suggestions. This not only ensured accountability throughout the project management and implementation, but also encouraged active community participation, thereby improving the effectiveness and rollout of activities."

At the final workshop, experiences and lessons from the project were shared and discussed to contribute to improving the readiness for response to future crisis situations.

 

====

For editors

Media contacts: 

  1. Lê Thị Hiền, Chairwoman of Thua Thien Hue Red Cross Society; Mobile phone: +84 982 637 535; Email: thaohoathaibinh12@gmail.com 
  2. Vũ Thu Hà, Communications and Public Relations Advisor, New Zealand Embassy; Mobile phone: +84 936 366 137; Email: vuthu.ha@mft.net.nz 
  3. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Phượng, Communications and Media Senior Advisor, Oxfam in Vietnam; Mobile phone: +84 982 05 45 69; Email: Phuong.NguyenThiHong@oxfam.org 

About Oxfam in Vietnam 

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Oxfam confederation currently has 21 member organizations working in 81 countries. We share a vision of a just and sustainable world. A world where people and the planet are at the center of our economy. Where women and girls live free from violence and discrimination. Where the climate crisis is contained. And where governance systems are inclusive and allow for those in power to be held to account. 

Oxfam in Vietnam believes that a reduction in poverty, injustice, and inequality will occur through the interaction between active citizens, accountable states and responsible private sector, and that it is fundamental to Vietnam’s development. Oxfam in Vietnam contributes to a shift from the current growth-based development model to a Human Economy that cares about People and the Planet.