On November 2, the launching conference "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" took place in the area. The 5 billion VND aid package will support livelihoods recovery and improvement for 1,500 poor and near-poor female farmers in 3 districts of Phu Loc, Phu Vang, Phong Dien (Thua Thien Hue province) facing difficulties due to the impact of COVID-19 in the next 9 months.

At the project implementation conference, Ms. Le Thi Hien, Chairwoman of the Thua Thien Hue Red Cross, mentioned the huge impacts that the pandemic had on the health and economy of vulnerable groups. According to data from the Statistics Department, the unemployment rate has reached its highest level in the decade;about 1.3 million workers lost their jobs in big cities due to the COVID-19 and returned to their hometowns. The pandemic has pushed many people into despair, and more than anyone else, poor farmers are the ones who suffered the most.

Representative of Oxfam in Vietnam, Mr. Pham Quang Tu - Deputy National Director, affirmed that women are among the most vulnerable groups due to the severe impacts of the COVID-19. They are the ones that need to receive special attention to adapt in the new normal period. 

phục hồi sinh kế

Mr. Pham Quang Tu – Deputy National Director, Oxfam in Vietnam speaking at the opening session of the Conference

The project will work with communities and local authorities to implement sustainable interventions so that female farmers can effectively recover and rebuild their livelihoods after the pandemic. The project expect that at least 1,500 poor and near-poor female farmers will participate in agricultural technical training activities based on their abilities and needs to restore and develop their livelihoods. In addition, 1,000 poor and near-poor female farmers will receive cash support to restore and improve appropriate livelihood models in the new normal period. People with disabilities, female rural workers with reduced income, and women-led households are also guaranteed participation and access to resources.

This project is the continuation of the emergency relief package during COVID-19 in late 2021 and early 2022, which was implemented by Oxfam. The package provided cash support to 365 informal workers in HCM city, including 268 female workers and 62 people with disabilities.

The project launching conference was attended by farmer households, representatives from People's Committees at all levels, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Thua Thien Hue, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Planning and Investment, Red Cross at all levels, and local journalism agencies. The project is funded by the New Zealand Government, implemented by Oxfam in Vietnam in collaboration with the Thua Thien Hue Red Cross from November 2023 to July 2024.