A HCM City resident receives gifts. The city is speeding up the processing of financial aid to help struggling locals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. – Photo tuoitre.vn

HCM CITY – Võ Văn Hoan, deputy chairman of HCM City People’s Committee, has asked city districts to provide financial aid for struggling residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by September 6.

The city announced on August 22 that it will spend over VNĐ1.5 trillion (US$ 68.9 million) to support more than 1 million poor, struggling households affected by the pandemic.

Each of these households will receive VNĐ1 million in cash from the city budget, and VNĐ200,000 in cash and VNĐ300,000 worth of gifts raised from the community via the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee.

Districts have been asked to assess the living conditions of local residents and create plans to support them after September 15.

The city has around 4 million people who have lost their jobs or have had their incomes severely affected.

The city, the country's COVID-19 epicentre, has recorded over 215,000 positive cases since late April when the fourth wave began.

It has been making an effort to support struggling locals and businesses with relief packages, and simplifying procedures to make them more accessible. – VNS