2019 Humanitarian Month widely implemented in Vietnam

Under the theme 'Connecting, sharing, and spreading', the Vietnam Red Cross Society has connected millions of people at home and abroad to provide greater opportunities for the disadvantaged. Its activities this month have promoted the message adopted this year by the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day “Spreading love”.

Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, said “We want more organizations, individuals, benefactors, and, particularly, members of the Red Cross Society to respond to this year’s Humanitarian Month so that the event will become a month for all.”

Activities have included financial support for small businesses, small-scale animal husbandry, and house construction; donations to the families of accident victims and disadvantaged children; free medical examinations and treatment for the poor; blood donation drives; and first-aid and disaster response training courses.

Le Anh Tuan, who lives in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, said “I often donate blood and have registered to donate organs. It’s important to help others even after you die.”

Ms. Thu said the Vietnam Red Cross Society has gotten local people more involved in helping the less fortunate overcome their difficulties.      

“Humanitarian Month 2019 aims to support about 100,000 beneficiaries. Last year more than 10 million USD was raised to help 600,000 especially disadvantaged people. Thanks to the strong response from the business community, private donors, and administrations at all levels, we hope to raise even more money this year,” she added.

Throughout the month, the Vietnam Red Cross Society has been raising donations via SMS sent to the phone number 1407. All proceeds will go to house construction and subsistence aid for poor people living in border areas.

The Vietnam Post Corporation in collaboration with the Vietnam Red Cross has set up Humanitarian Fund boxes to collect money for humanitarian activities.

Dang Minh Tien, head of the Social Affairs Department of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, said “More than 700 provincial and district post-offices have worked with the Vietnam Red Cross Society to set up Humanitarian Fund boxes as a way to mobilize community donations. All the money collected will be used to fund local aid initiatives.”