Participants donate money to support people impacted by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria at a ceremony in Hà Nội on February 23. — Photo VNRC

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC) has issued an emergency call for joint efforts in support of the people impacted by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria at a ceremony in Hà Nội on February 23.

“Responding to the call of the International Association of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, with the consent of the Prime Minister, the VNRC called on all ministries and sectors, organisations, local and international businesses, individuals, and people from all walks of life, especially the Red Cross members and volunteers, to join hands to help the people of Turkey and Syria overcome the consequences of the earthquake disaster on February 17,” VNRC President Bùi Thị Hòa said at the event.

Hòa added that the VNRC will receive community contributions to help victims and the people of Turkey and Syria until May 30, 2023.

Speaking at the event, the Counselor of the Turkish Ambassador to Việt Nam Gulay Kosem Rignault said that Turkey has been going through a difficult period due to the impact of the worst natural disaster in its history. Therefore, a wide aid campaign was launched in which the Turkish people as well as the international community joined hands to help improve the situation in Turkey.

“We believe that the Việt Nam Red Cross's appeal will receive the support of the Vietnamese people and will make an important contribution to Turkey's current efforts,” said Rignault.

VNRC President Bùi Thị Hòa receives donation from the representative of the Vietnam Southern Medical Association. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải

At the ceremony, the VNRC received nearly VNĐ10 billion in support from a number of organisations and businesses, including the Red Cross societies of Hà Nội, HCM City, Bình Dương, Đồng Nai, Bắc Ninh, Phú Thọ, Thái Nguyên, Thái Bình, Hòa Bình, Hải Phòng City, Nam Định, Ninh Bình Province, New Image Vietnam Company, Vietnam Family Health Care Fund, West Hanoi Inter-School, Nguyễn Siêu Hà Nội Inter-School, the Vietnam Veterans Association, Phổ Hiền Buddhist Monastery and the Vietnam Southern Medical Association.

The donations should be sent to the VRC’s headquarters at 82 Nguyễn Du, Hà Nội. Phone: 024.38263703; 024.38224030. Fax: 024.39424285. Mobile number: 0912.544.050. Email: thuy.lth@vnredcross.org.vn.

Its representative office in the southern region is also available for donations, at 201 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street, District 1, HCM City. Phone: 0283.8391271; Fax: 0283 8322298. Mobile number: 0913.847.027. Email: ctdpn@yahoo.com.

Donors also send money to VNRC’s account at the Vietnam bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Mai branch at 813 Giải Phóng Road, Hoàng Mai District, Hà Nội.

Account name: VIETNAM RED CROSS

Account numbers: 1240202005348 (VNĐ) and 1240202018198 (USD) or 1240202006862 (EUR)

Swift code: VBAAVNVX418

Apart from bank accounts, the association has opened an app named “Thiện Nguyện” (Charity) to serve the campaign, which will operate until May 30.

Previously, on February 6, 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the southeast region of Turkey and northeast Syria, killing more than 47,000 people (as of February 22). It was one of the strongest earthquake disasters to hit the region in nearly a century, destroying thousands of homes and causing catastrophic damage. Economic losses after the disaster are expected to reach tens of billions of dollars. — VNS