In a significant move to enhance social security and provide vital support to vulnerable communities, the Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee signed Decision No. 3146/QD-UBND on August 7, 2026. This decision approves the reception of a non-project aid package titled “Receiving wheelchair aid from the Giving It Back to Kids Organization (USA) for people with disabilities in difficult circumstances in Hai Phong City”. With a total value exceeding 1.1 billion VND, this initiative represents a journey of compassion, international cooperation, and a commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the city's development.
As Hai Phong continues its rapid economic growth, the city remains steadfast in its mission to protect and support its most vulnerable citizens, particularly those with mobility disabilities. Recent surveys by local authorities indicated that while the city has made great strides, thousands of individuals with disabilities still lack the necessary equipment to navigate their daily lives due to financial constraints.
To address this need, the city has actively coordinated with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). The Giving It Back to Kids (GIBTK) organization, a US-based INGO licensed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate in Vietnam, emerged as a key partner. GIBTK has a long-standing history of humanitarian work in Vietnam, specializing in providing medical equipment, supporting heart surgeries, and caring for underprivileged children and people with disabilities. The approval of this aid is the culmination of proactive diplomatic efforts and close coordination between various municipal departments to mobilize international resources for local social welfare goals.
The approved non-project aid has a total investment value of 1,169,400,000 VND (equivalent to approximately 44,463 USD). This package is structured into two main components: (1) Non-refundable Aid (In-kind): Valued at 999,400,000 VND (38,000 USD), this portion is provided directly by GIBTK. The donor will hand over 520 brand-new wheelchairs, imported directly from India. The shipment includes two specific types: 470 units of the GEN 2_26 Wheelchair and 50 units of the GEN 3_26 Wheelchair, designed to meet the diverse mobility needs of the recipients; (2) City Counterpart Funding: To ensure the aid reaches the beneficiaries effectively and professionally, Hai Phong City has allocated 170,000,000 VND from the municipal budget. These funds are managed by the Hai Phong Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans, the primary project owner. The counterpart budget covers essential logistics, including customs fees, handling, warehousing, and transportation from the port to the 85 recipient communes and wards. Furthermore, a portion of these funds is dedicated to training sessions for the recipients and their families on assembly, safe usage, and basic maintenance of the wheelchairs.
The entire implementation process, from reception to distribution, is scheduled to be completed within four months of the approval date. To guarantee that the aid is used for its intended purpose and complies with Vietnamese law regarding foreign non-governmental aid (specifically Decree No. 313/2025/ND-CP), the city implemented a rigorous appraisal process.
The Department of Finance led the appraisal, working in tandem with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Health, and the City Police. During this process, the Department of Foreign Affairs played a crucial role in verifying the legal status of the donor and ensuring that the selection criteria for beneficiaries were clear, transparent, and fair. The Hai Phong Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans is tasked with signing the official project documents with the donor and coordinating with the People's Committees of 85 communes and wards to finalize the list of recipients. The selection principle is strictly defined: priority is given to those with severe mobility disabilities who live in difficult economic circumstances across various districts, including Hong Bang, Le Chan, Ngo Quyen, Thuy Nguyen, and many others.
The "wheelchair project" carries profound multi-layered significance for Hai Phong:
- Humanitarian Impact: For the 520 recipients, these wheelchairs are more than just equipment; they are a gateway to independence. By facilitating movement, the project helps reduce the psychological burden on individuals with disabilities, allowing them to step beyond the walls of their homes and participate in education, labor, and community activities according to their abilities.
- Social Security Strengthening: Utilizing international aid allows the city to alleviate pressure on the local budget while still fulfilling high-standard social welfare goals. It affirms the city's commitment to the motto "no one is left behind" in its modernization journey.
- International Cooperation: The successful deployment of this aid serves as a testament to the environment of friendship and trust between Hai Phong and international organizations. By handling the aid professionally and transparently, Hai Phong reinforces its position as a dynamic locality ready to welcome international humanitarian resources for the benefit of its people.
- Community Spirit: This project fosters a spirit of "mutual affection" within society. The collaboration between the government, social organizations, and foreign donors strengthens public trust in social policies and builds a more compassionate community.
The approval of 520 wheelchairs from Giving It Back to Kids is a beautiful milestone in Hai Phong’s 2026 foreign affairs and social security agenda. These wheels carry not only the hope for an easier life for the disabled but also a message of borderless friendship and the city's unwavering dedication to the well-being of all its citizens. Under the decisive leadership of the City People's Committee and the vigilant oversight of specialized departments, this meaningful gift will soon reach those who need it most, lighting up the faith and resilience of the disability community in our Port City.