A person sends a text message as part of a campaign to raise funds for COVID-19 prevention. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Fundraising activities for the COVID-19 pandemic are underway across the country.

A number of agencies, organisations, businesses and individuals at home and abroad have sent donations to Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFF).

As of 4pm on Thursday, the committee has raised over VNĐ282 billion (over US$12 million) since its fundraising campaign was launched on Tuesday, according to the president of the committee, Trần Thanh Mẫn.

Mẫn praised agencies for joining the campaign, saying that it would contribute to preventing the pandemic.

He said the committee will quickly transfer the funds to support those who are directly involved in the prevention of the pandemic and treatment of patients.

In response to the call from the VFF, businesses and individuals in Hà Nội have contributed funds worth VNĐ4.1 billion ($175,330) to VFF’s Hà Nội chapter.

Text donation campaign

A text message campaign to call for public support for the country’s fight against COVID-19 was also launched by the Ministry of Information and Communications, the VFF’s Standing Board, the Health Ministry, and the Việt Nam Red Cross Society on Thursday.

Supporters can donate by texting “CV n” to 1407, of which “n” is the multiple of VNĐ20,000 (US$0.85), which is the value of each message. So, if you text "CV 100", you will donate VNĐ2,000,000 to the campaign. The minimum donation is VNĐ20,000.

All the money collected will be used to buy medical equipment, necessities and support COVID-19 patients and those being quarantined.

It was estimated that over VNĐ2.4 billion ($102,600) was raised immediately after the launch of the campaign.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng called on everyone to support the fight against Covid-19 with the strength of unity as it is said: “A small drop of water makes a mighty ocean.”

The donation campaign which will last until June 18. — VNS