HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Red Cross (VNRC) in collaboration with the Hà Nội Red Cross Society launched the Humanitarian Month (from May 1 to 31) at a ceremony on April 28 in Hà Nội.

The month, with the theme: humanity- from awareness to action, is part of activities to mark the Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (May 8).

The month aims to promote humanitarian values, the movement of good deeds, and increase the support for the disadvantaged people in the capital. It also aims to raise awareness and practical actions of cadres, Party members and people from all walks of life towards people in difficult circumstances, vulnerable people in community.

Hà Nội is one of the first provinces and cities to pilot the Humanitarian Month in Việt Nam while the month will be launched also in HCM City and other provinces and cities in coming days.

At the event, representatives of the U23 national football team donated VNĐ700 million (US$31,100) through the Việt Nam Red Cross to help Agent Orange victims and children with fatal diseases in Việt Nam.

The Hà Nội Red Cross Society also donated money to help two poor families building houses, handed over cows to three others and presented bicycles to 20 poor students with outstanding study results in the capital city.

The VNRC president Nguyễn Thị Xuân Thu said that VNRC has mobilised VNĐ557 billion ($24.75 million) to support nearly 5.2 million poor families and Agent Orange victims over the past 10 years.

“The programme has contributed to help poor families and AO victims overcoming difficulties in their lives as well as created strong effect in the community,” said Thu.  

On the occasion, the VNRC launched a charity text message campaign, entitled: joining hands for the country’s sea and islands, to raise funds to support livelihood, production development, free medical checkup and medicine to poor fishermen.

People from all walks of life can support the campaign by texting BD to 1407. The campaign will run until June 26, 2018. Each mobile text message will contribute VNĐ20,000 ($0.85) to the fund. — VNS