Representative of Sanofi Vietnam hands over a donation of VNĐ1.3 billion to the VNRC Vice President and Secretary Nguyễn Hải Anh (right) at the launching ceremony of the 2020 Humanitarian Month in Hà Nội on Tuesday. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC) launched the 2020 Humanitarian Month with a focus on various activities to improve the community's health at a ceremony on Tuesday in Hà Nội.

The month, entitled Working Together for Community Health, running from May 1 to 31, is part of VNRC’s activities to mark the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on May 8.  

Attending the event, Politburo member and head of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for Mass Mobilisation Trương Thị Mai praised the important contributions of VNRC staff, members and volunteers that helps millions of needy people to overcome difficulties in life or encourages millions of people to participate in humanitarian activities.

Mai said that there was always the companionship and presence of the Việt Nam Red Cross in natural disasters, epidemics, helping the poor, the disabled, lonely people and orphans.

“During the peak months of COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, all levels of VNRC have made great efforts and solutions to minimise difficulties of needy people and encourage forces on the frontline to fight the pandemic with necessary actions,” said Mai.

“During the month, the Red Cross at all levels will focus activities on strengthening humanitarian values ​​and President Hồ Chí Minh’s humanitarian ideas and mobilise resources to provide practical assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, drought and saltwater intrusion across the country,” said VNRC President Nguyễn Thị Xuân Thu at the event.

Thu asked VNRC’s members to integrate the month's activities with the "Pink Blood - Summer 2020" blood donation campaign with a target of mobilising and receiving at least 560,000 units of blood from voluntary donors.

The month will be deployed nationwide with the goal of supporting at least 100,000 people in difficult circumstances through the implementation of a new model of the Humanitarian Market, providing 100,000 free goods exchange coupons. It will also aim to help needy people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, drought and saline intrusion as well as to build at least 130 humanitarian works, especially projects on public healthcare, according to Thu.

Thu said that the VNRC mobilised nearly VNĐ100 billion (US$4.25 million) from the local and international donor community to help needy people, especially those affected by disasters, COVID-19, as well as drought and saltwater intrusion in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta region.

The month aims to promote humanitarian values, the movement of good deeds, and increase the support for 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 and vulnerable people in the community. — VNS