Politburo member, State President Võ Văn Thưởng becomes the Honourary President of the Việt Nam Red Cross Society for the 2022-2027 term. VNA/VNS Photos Thống Nhất

CẦN THƠ — Việt Nam yesterday officially launched the National Humanitarian Month 2023 and celebrated the 160th anniversary of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in southern Cần Thơ City with more than VNĐ485 billion (US$20.6 million) donated or committed for this year.

The event was held by the Việt Nam Red Cross Society and the People's Committee of Cần Thơ City.

According to President of the Việt Nam Red Cross Society Bùi Thị Hòa, the national humanitarian month this year is from May 1-31 and is associated with the movement to do good deeds and build a compassionate community together.

After five years of organising Humanitarian Month since 2018, the Society has mobilised more than VNĐ2 trillion (US$85.5 million), supporting over 4.3 million poor and disadvantaged people.

This year, it sets the target to have at least one humanitarian project, programme or activity with the support of each locality and its people.

At the launch ceremony, Hòa also announced that the Politburo had assigned Politburo member, State President Võ Văn Thưởng to be the Honourary President of the Việt Nam Red Cross Society for the 2022-2027 term.

 Speaking at the ceremony, President Thưởng expressed his honour to accept the title of Honourary President of the Society and affirmed that he will actively contribute to the development of the Society and the humanitarian movement nationwide.

Continuing from the successes achieved, all resources will be mobilised, focusing the support on vulnerable groups in the community, particularly poor fishermen and poor children with disabilities, he said.

He called on agencies, organisations, businesses, international organisations, benefactors and people from all walks of life to continue to coordinate, support and accompany the Việt Nam Red Cross Society in providing more effective assistance to the poor and disadvantaged people.

President Thưởng visits a space displaying humanitarian activities at the event.

“Let's get close with each other through love and compassion, let’s together build a united community, a progressive, civilised society that is full of compassion," he said.

During the event, he also expressed his appreciation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross and international friends for their constant interest and support for humanitarian activities in Việt Nam.

President Thưởng noted that in the 160-year history of the (IFRC), over the past 66 years, the Việt Nam Red Cross Society has always been a very active member.

The Society has made many important contributions with support for people in difficulty, war victims, and victims of natural disasters while participating in primary health care for the people.

It also mobilised organisations and individuals to participate in humanitarian activities. Việt Nam has also been actively participating in humanitarian activities abroad as a responsible member of the United Nations and the world humanitarian movement, he said. — VNS