Major cities act for int’l day for the disabled Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan (Source: VNA) President Truong Tan Sang on December 1 joined with Ho Chi Minh City authorities and over 7,500 local residents at a charity walk to raise awareness for the International Day for People with Disabilities, which falls on three days later.  Addressing the event, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hong called for public support to the handicapped so that they are able to continue their lives as normal. The whole nation is now home to over 6 million people with disabilities. Twenty percent of them are dependent on their relatives. Vice Chairwoman Hong said the Party, State and municipal authorities always work hard to ensure that the disabled fully enjoy benefits and interests in line with the Law on Persons with Disabilities that took effect on November 1, 2011. On the occasion, President Sang presented gifts to 12 talented children with disabilities from every part of the country, each worth 5 million VND. Businesses also raised funds in support of young Agent Orange and cancer victims and generated jobs for thousands of them. The charity walk will come to Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Tay Ninh and Quang Tri next year. On November 30 in Hanoi, the Ministry and Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs coordinated with the Vietnam Federation on Disabilities and Vietnam Television to hold a music show “For a world without barriers”. Speaking at the event, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan said Vietnam has joined the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She declared Vietnam’s strong commitment to the international community in protecting and caring for the less fortunate. The move has also received overwhelming support from ministries and organisations at home and abroad. UN Coordinator in Vietnam Prathibha Mehta vowed to provide continued assistance to the Vietnamese Government in promoting the rights of the disabled via practical initiatives.-VNA