The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has positively contributed to humanitarian activities in Vietnam since it established its representative office in the country in 1991. Chairman of the Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) Nguyen Hai Duong made the affirmation at a March 21 working session in Hanoi with an IFRC delegation led by its Secretary General Bekele Geleta. Duong expressed his hope that the IFRC will continue promoting its role of coordinating humanitarian aid in Vietnam, as well as providing technical and financial assistance for the country in the fields of climate change adaptation and disaster risk mitigation and prevention. When pledging to continue support for Vietnamese victims of natural disasters, Geleta also said he hopes that the VRC will promote the results of cooperative activities with his federation, and better its operations in humanitarian support. On this occasion, the VRC presented an insignia for the cause of humanity to the Secretary General in recognition of his contributions to humanitarian activities and the development of the VRC. In the past 24 years, the IFRC has funded $100 million for humanitarian projects and programs in Vietnam. (Vietnam News March 21)
