The Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Vietnam visited and worked in Quang Tri province (January 13-14, 2021)

       In the morning January 14, 2021, Mr. Hoang Nam - Deputy Chairman of Quang Tri People's Committee received and worked with the delegation led by Ambassador John McCullagh. Attending the meeting were Mrs. Nguyen Trieu Thuong - Director of Department of Foreign Affairs, leaders of Provincial People's Committee Office, Department of Education and Training, Provincial Committee for Ethnic Minorities, Plan International, Care International, RIC and Project RENEW.
        Since 2007, the Irish Government has provided more than 4 million EUR for Quang Tri province to repair schools, houses, strengthen the capacity of ethnic minority communities under Program 135, implement mine action activities, empower and assist people with disabilities...
        At the meeting, Mr. Hoang Nam thanked the Government of Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam for their support to Quang Tri province over the time. This has been the Ambassador's second visit to Quang Tri since July 2020, showing the interest of Irish Embassy and the Ambassador to the province.
The Ambassador was also informed that the year 2020 was a particularly difficult year for Quang Tri due to Covid-19 pandemic and natural disaster. In particular, typhoons and floods had caused serious consequences for people and property in October 2020. Thereby, it was expected that the Irish Government would support Quang Tri to repair and upgrade 9 schools and 7 health stations that were severely damaged after the disaster; renovate some infrastructure, especially traffic in difficult areas; and build dormitories in mountainous areas; improve the capacity of the government and people in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters and climate change. In addition, the province also wanted the Irish Government to continue its existing funding in Quang Tri over the years. The Deputy Chairman assigned Department of Foreign Affairs to act as the focal point, coordinating the Government of Ireland's support in all areas to avoid overlap.

          Ambassador John McCullagh said that the Government and people of Ireland were very interested and hoped to be able to promptly support flood hit people. The Ambassador also met and exchanged with beneficiaries in Huc (Huong Hoa district) on the afternoon of January 13 to examine the best coordination. Ambassador John McCullagh affirmed that the Irish Government committed to continue Program 135 and mine action activities in addition to the support for natural disaster recovery...
           The Deputy Chairman and Ambassador also exchanged and agreed on planning the Greening Day taken place at the Cultural Center on the occasion of Ireland's National Day in 2021 and the 25th anniversary of Vietnam - Ireland diplomacy (1996-2021).

             After the meeting, Mrs. Nguyen Trieu Thuong - Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs guided the delegation to Cam Thuy Primary School and Secondary School (Cam Lo) which was supported by the Irish Government. Next, the Ambassador visited Road 9 National Martyrs Cemetery, worked with the Provincial Committee for Ethnic Minorities and FNGOs.

Source: HTQT