The event was jointly hosted by the municipal Departments of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA); Culture and Sports; Information and Communication to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3).
Nguyen Thi Lien, Deputy Director of the HCM City DoLISA said, the event, the 18th version of its kind, aims to give people with disabilities a joyful time while calling on organisations and individuals to provide assistance to the disadvantaged group.
According to the organisation board, over the past 18 years, the programme has involved around 155,000 people with disabilities from southern region.
Meanwhile, 244 wheelchairs were presented to persons with disabilities at a charity event in Cao Lanh city, the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap to mark the occasion.
According to Huynh Duy Khuong, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Labours, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the sector aims to ensure all social beneficiaries with disabilities will receive regular assistance and be covered with health insurance.
The sector will also promote the group’s access to socio-economic activities, thus helping them integrate into the community.
Currently, Dong Thap is home to nearly 21,000 people with disabilities, with nearly 19,000 receiving monthly allowance.
From 2013 – 2017, public agencies and mass organisations have conducted numerous activities to support the group, including vocational training courses and rehabilitation means. Over 3,000 wheelchairs have been presented to persons with disabilities.
