The Ho Chi Minh city People’s Committee has granted USD 50,000 each to Phnom Penh and Vientiane to support their combat against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ho Chi Minh City has offered both Vientiane and Phnom Penh USD 50,000 each as part of efforts to support the capitals of Laos and Cambodia to overcome the negative impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Source: hcmcpv.org.vn

According to VOV, Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, symbolically handed over the assistance to the Consul Generals of Laos and Cambodia in the southern city.

This occurred following an online working session held on May 7 between him, Vientiane’s Mayor Atsaphangthong Siphandone, and Phnom Penh’s Governor Khuong Sreng.

During the course of the working session, the three governors compared notes on Covid-19 pandemic response and discussed the pandemic’s serious impacts on the socio-economic lives.

The HCM City leader underlined that amid complications caused by the pandemic, the southern city has maintained a close eye on the situation in Vientiane and Phnom Penh. Indeed, it has now initiated efforts to help ease the difficulties facing the two cities due to the pandemic.

The Party Organisation, administration, and people of HCM City have also supported Vientiane, Phnom Penh, and other localities in both Laos and Cambodia by providing them with medical supplies, he noted.

Phong added that assistance shows the sentiments felt by the nation and Ho Chi Minh City for the two neighbouring countries.

Phong therefore affirmed that the southern city places great importance on striving to improve relations with Laos and Cambodia, as well as their respective capital cities.

He stated his hope that the pandemic will be brought under competent control in order to allow both sides to recover trade ties, along with resuming exchange and co-operation activities.

In response, Governor of Phnom Penh Khuong Sreng said that with the direction of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the city authorities have provided timely support for around 28,000 households and ensured no one is left behind.

With the assistance of donors and other countries, this is one of the effective measures to respond to the pandemic’s impacts, along with quarantine and treatment methods.

At the online working session between Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committeehim, Vientiane’s Mayor Atsaphangthong Siphandone, and Phnom Penh’s Governor Khuong Sreng. Photo:VNA

Describing HCM City, Phnom Penh and Vientiane as the economic pillar of their respective countries, Governor of Vientiane Atsaphangthong Siphandone stated that the coordination and sharing of experience of the three major cities will help control the pandemic and boost economic recovery.

Meanwhile, Phong affirmed that the authorities and people of HCM City always keep a close watch on the pandemic developments in Laos and Cambodia. The city has provided medical supplies to localities in the two neighbouring countries.

Phnom Penh Governor Sreng hailed the initiative of HCM City to hold the online working session, which showcases the joint efforts and determination being put into Covid-19 prevention and control.

The Phnom Penh leader said that both Cambodia and Phnom Penh are taking drastic measures to prevent the further spreading of the pandemic.

Vientiane Mayor Siphandone expressed his hope that the three countries will move to strengthen their partnership to control the pandemic moving forward. He stressed that close collaboration among Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam is a significant factor to enjoying success in the Covid-19 fight in each country as it creates an important foundation for them to boost socio-economic development whilst ensuring stability and prosperity throughout the region./.

Hannah Nguyen