Acting President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân presents a speech at the launching of the 2024 National Humanitarian Month in Điện Biên Phủ City. — VNA/VNS Photo Phan Quân

ĐIỆN BIÊN — Acting President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân has called upon the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) to modernise its operational strategies in order to offer more efficient aid to impoverished and disadvantaged individuals, thereby fostering the development of a cohesive, empathetic, forward-thinking and civilised society.

She issued this directive during Monday's inauguration of the 2024 National Humanitarian Month in Điện Biên Phủ City.

The event, themed "Humanitarian Journey: Sharing and Receiving Love," was co-organised by the VRC Central Committee and the People's Committee of Điện Biên Province.

The programme aims to commemorate the 134th birth anniversary of President Hồ Chí Minh (May 19, 2024), the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (May 8), the 70th anniversaries of the Điện Biên Phủ victory (May 7, 2024) and the Liberation Day of the Capital (October 10, 2024).

During the ceremony, Acting President Xuân affirmed that over the past six years, the VRC has organised National Humanitarian Month events nationwide and mobilised over VNĐ3.4 trillion (US$133.5 million) and provided financial assistance to more than 5.5 million poor and disadvantaged people nationwide.

She commended the efforts of the VRC, Government agencies, organisations and individuals at home and abroad, and organisations affiliated with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for their support and collaborative efforts in achieving these significant results.

The Acting President proposed that the VRC continue to innovate its methods of operation to meet the requirements and tasks in the new situation. She also highlighted the participation of Government agencies, organisations and individuals at home and abroad in supporting the VRC to provide assistance to the poor and those in difficult circumstances.

Chairwoman of the VRC Bùi Thị Hòa stated that the National Humanitarian Month, initiated in 2018, has evolved into the foremost avenue for delivering optimal assistance to those most in need.

Hòa mentioned that choosing Điện Biên Province as the location to launch the National Humanitarian Month in 2024 is an opportunity to express deep gratitude to previous generations who bravely fought and sacrificed for the country's independence and freedom.

In this event, the VCR targets to assist 100,000 cases. The VRC will construct or repair kitchens in kindergartens and primary schools in disadvantaged areas with a minimum value of VNĐ150 million ($5,890); and build or repair houses for poor fishermen in difficulty with a minimum value of VNĐ50 million ($1,960) per house.

The VRC will provide a minimum support value of VNĐ5 million ($196) for at least 50 poor households or those in especially difficult circumstances nationwide.

At the launch ceremony, Acting President Xuân awarded 300 scholarships to outstanding ethnic minority students in difficult circumstances in Điện Biên Province.

The VRC received support and commitments totalling VNĐ485 billion ($17.9 million) from organisations and individuals in this event. — VNS