Vietnam Red Cross Grants Tet Gifts to Poor, AO Victims

The movement “Tet for the poor and Agent Orange victims” raised and gave over 1.5 million Tet presents to the poor and victims of AO during the lunar New Year festival, the Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) reported. In addition, the VRC built 472 houses, provided 397 cows, presented 69 savings books, and provided healthcare services to 131,480 poor people. The Tet presents were estimated to be worth VND540 billion, accounting for over 150% of the set target. Provinces and cities reporting large number of presents included Hanoi (79,811 presents), Long An province (71,134 presents), Ho Chi Minh city (62,551 presents), Dong Thap province (46,667 presents), Thanh Hoa province (46,107 presents), Ben Tre province (44,671 presents), Ha Tinh province (44,485 presents), Hau Giang province (43,003 presents) and Quang Nam province (42,636 presents). During Tet, the VRC also worked with other relevant agencies to organize a program entitled “Spring comes to our beloved sea and islands”. Accordingly, the organizers gave Tet presents worth VND4.75 billion to the coast guard, fisheries resources surveillance, navy forces and cadres and soldiers on DK1 frame-house on duty at sea. In addition, the organizers allocated presents worth VND3.75 billion to 120 disadvantaged cadres’ and soldiers’ families and 3,630 poor fishermen across 28 coastal provinces and cities. Under the program, 23 water filtering machines were also presented to the coast guard and fisheries resources surveillance forces. To assist provinces and cities giving better care for disadvantaged people, the VRC Central Committee allocated money and goods worth over VND11 billion across 63 provinces and cities for Tet presents. During Tet, it also distributed 545 cows worth VND4.36 billion to the 8 provinces of Tay Ninh, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Tri, Long An, Lam Dong, Bac Kan and Dong Thap. The movement “Tet for the poor and Agent Orange victims” was launched by the VRC in 1999. Throughout 16 years, the movement has received the assistance of over VND3 trillion to assist the lives of nearly 14 million poor families and AO victims. (Dangcongsan.vn Mar 5)