President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Đỗ Văn Chiến speaks at the launching ceremony of the Humanitarian Month 2021. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam Red Cross Society's Central Committee on Saturday launched the Humanitarian Month 2021 on the occasion of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (May 8).

The month runs from May 1-31 under the theme 'For a Safe Community,' focusing on building a community of solidarity, humanity, good health and safety against pandemics, natural disasters and serious incidents.

Objectives for the month include building 75 flood-resilient houses in Quảng Trị Province, supporting at least 150,000 needy people, connecting at least 10,000 needy people, families or other units with humanitarian aid and assisting 750 poor households.

Addressing the launching ceremony, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Đỗ Văn Chiến called on agencies, organisations, businesses and entrepreneurs in and outside the country as well as donors and people from all walks of life to help the Vietnam Red Cross Society give a helping hand to the poor and unite to build a humanitarian and safe community.

He said that the Vietnam Red Cross Society is a trustworthy destination for contributions from donors.

Delegates donate bicycles to students at the launching ceremony of the Humanitarian Month 2021 in Hà Nội on Saturday. — Photo VNRC

Various activities were held within the event, including the introduction of addresses providing first aid training, the presenting of gifts to needy households in Hà Nội, and the launching of a texting campaign for the poor in border areas.

First piloted in 2018, Humanitarian Month has so far raised nearly VNĐ1.7 trillion (US$74 million) for the poor, providing support to more than 2.2 million poor people. From this year, the month has been launched in all localities nationwide. — VNS