An Action Month for Children was launched in Hanoi on May 27, aiming to create equal development opportunities for poor and ethnic minority children.  From June 1 to 30, communications campaigns will be launched to raise public awareness of protecting and caring for poor, ethnic children. Exchange meetings, cultural and sports and humanitarian activities will be held to gather public support for the needy children.Children living in remote and mountainous areas meet numerous difficulties accessing high quality healthcare and education services, despite recent increased assistance, said Nguyen Hai Huu, Director General of the Department of Child Protection and Care under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA).This action month aims to encourage everyone nationwide to promote opportunities for all children to develop equally, he said.Huu explained that the theme of this year’s month-long campaign was chosen because the number of poor and disadvantaged children is likely to rise during these current difficult economic times.During the month, the National Fund for Vietnamese Children will provide free surgeries for children suffering from various medical conditions, build classrooms and entertainment areas, and present gifts to poor, ethnic minority and disadvantaged children.In 2012, the Fund mobilised more than VND300 billion at the grassroots level to support nearly 1 million disadvantaged children. VOV