The Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) announced April 1 that donations of $1 million raised by Vietnamese people had been handed over to Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims on March 11. The first donation of $400,000 was made on March 23 and the remaining $600,000 was transferred on April 1, which would be provided via the Japan Red Cross, state media reported April 4. As of 1 April, 834 organizations and individuals across Vietnam had contributed VND34 billion ($1.6 million) to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, VRC said, adding that the remaining donations would be handed over to the Japan Red Cross in mid-April after the completed fund-raising campaign. The Japanese Embassy in Vietnam has also received over VND14 billion from 600 individuals and units to assist the victims. The death toll in Japan disasters is estimated at 11,000 and missing at 17,000, with a total loss of around $300 billion. (Vietnam News April 4)
