Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam at the review with the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA) In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, he said that thefirst priority of Vietnam is the health of the people. And with the vaccinationrates increasing, the country is slowly opening up its economy.
Mentioning the response to the pandemic, he emphasised the need for a moreflexible approach, including shorter lockdowns, shorter quarantine periods, andacceleration of vaccinations.
He commented the Government of Vietnam for its vaccination diplomacy, saying itis amazing how fast people in the country get vaccinated against thecoronavirus disease.
“We have seen priorities and how the older and more vulnerable should have apriority for getting vaccination. And with that response, there could beslightly opening up of the economy very carefully,” he noted.
According to Patrick Haverman the UNDP recently launched two reports on thesocio-economic impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable households in Vietnam and the implementationof the second support package of the Government for people affected by COVID-19.
Vietnam can support growth, employment and incomes with a larger cashassistance programme for vulnerable households without fear of inflation or anegative impact on the balance of payments.
To achieve the twin objectives of supporting vulnerable households andstimulating economic growth, the cash assistance programme should be launchedas quickly as possible. The quickest way to deliver this support is to provide an immediate benefit to childrenunder 6 years old; pregnant women; elderly people from 60 years of age, includingelderly people from 80 years of age that are beneficiaries of regular cashassistance programmes without pensions; and people with disabilities.
Administrative requirements should be kept to a minimum, and an electronicregister of individuals should be compiled listing households and individualswho have received support.
Regarding Vietnam's reopening in the coming time, the UNDP representative saidthe Government of Vietnam is doing good and vaccination is really important.
To reopen, vaccination should be the first priority, he said, adding thatVietnam should impose a bit more flexible lockdowns, meaning not locking downthe whole city.
These are important conditions for Vietnam to slowly open and promote itseconomy with the assistance of social protection programmes, he stated.
“So we think the country is on the right track. We have seen it is slowly openingup. And with that, the Vietnamese economy can come like a growing again. So wehope for a good recovery of the economy,” he concluded./.
VNA
