A present given to poor people in Hoàng Mai District on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội’s Red Cross Society will offer gifts including cash and free food from April 15 to 25 to poor people affected by COVID-19.

At the launching ceremony of the campaign on Wednesday, 225 people living in disadvantaged circumstances in the city received assistance worth VNĐ225 million (US$9,800) in total.

Low-income people or those facing difficulties due to the pandemic can go to six locations in the districts of Hoàng Mai, Đống Đa, Thanh Xuân, Cầu Giấy, Nam Từ Liêm and Đông Anh to receive the food packages including rice and instant noodles.

Nguyễn Thị Xuân Thu, president of Việt Nam Red Cross Society, acknowledged and praised the Hà Nội’s Red Cross Society for their meaningful work.

COVID-19 has impacted various sectors, especially vulnerable people. The Việt Nam Red Cross Society has implemented a series of campaigns to encourage frontline medical workers and armed forces who have been fighting the pandemic day and night. At the same time, a lot of assistance has been offered to people in disadvantaged circumstances nationwide, she said.

Bùi Thị Minh Nguyệt, a poor woman living in Hoàng Mai District, said she and her children earn a living from a hair salon. Since the shop was closed, they have lost their main income. One of her children is autistic so she has to spend time caring for her and could not find a part-time job.

“The rice and cash I received today will help us in many days ahead,” she told Vietnam News Agency.

Hà Nội’s Red Cross Society will send two tonnes of rice, 500 face masks, 500 hand sanitiser bottles and VNĐ30 million ($1,300) to people in quarantined at Hạ Lôi Village in the outlying district of Mê Linh. — VNS