Red Cross Society: “A reliable address” of kind hearts

Over the past years, provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels continuously promoted and successfully implemented their campaigns and movements, particularly in humanitarian social work, to share and support disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Through meaningful initiatives and actions, they helped many individuals in need overcome hardships and find motivation to move forward.

Practical support for those in need

At over 80 years old, Huynh Van Huu, residing in Vinh Phu ward’s Phu Hoi quarter in Thuan An city, frequently falls ill. Although also being elderly, his wife still collects scrap materials and his family is still in significant hardship. For many years, they lived in a severely deteriorated house.

Nguyen Thi Le Trinh, Chairwoman of provincial Red Cross Society presents scholarships to students with difficult circumstances

Learning about Mr. Huu’s difficult circumstance, the Red Cross of the ward conducted an on-site assessment and proposed support. Provincial Red Cross Society approved the funding of VND 80 million to build a “Red Cross” house for his family. Combined with the family’s additional contribution, the new 42m² house is a significant asset and a long-held dream that has now come true for Mr. Huu and his wife. “Thanks to the care and support of all-level authorities and sectors, my wife and I now have this warm home, giving us peace of mind in our old age”, Mr. Huu said emotionally.

The emotions felt by Mr. Huu and his wife mirror those of many other families who have received funding from provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels for the construction or repair of Red Cross houses in recent years. According to Nguyen Thi Le Trinh, Chairwoman of provincial Red Cross Society, giving “Red Cross” houses was one of the models applied by provincial Red Cross Society in the "Smart Mass Mobilization" movement and brought practical results over the past time. “This is a humanitarian model with deeply humane meaning, attracting widespread support from officials, members, volunteers, businesses and donors”, she said. The model’s effectiveness lies in its ability to help disadvantaged families secure decent houses and stabilize their lives. In 2024 alone, provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels mobilized and provided funding to construct 133 new houses worth over VND 8.3 billion and repair 10 houses with a total cost of VND 466 million.

Along with this work, in order to encourage and support students to overcome difficulties and firmly step on their learning path, provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels effectively implemented a program "Giving scholarships for  students" in the 2023-2024 school year. Accordingly, they mobilized and awarded 9,208 scholarships to students with difficult circumstances, with a total value of over VND 17.5 billion. Particularly, provincial Red Cross Society coordinated with provincial Fatherland Front Committee, Department of Education and Training and other units to award 1,025 scholarships to disadvantaged students throughout the 2023-2024 school year with a total cost of VND12.3 billion. Each child receives a scholarship worth VND 12 million per year, awarded quarterly.

According to leaders of provincial Red Cross Society, this program not only provides material support, but also conveys hope and encouragement for students to strive for academic excellence and become useful citizens of the society. For students who receive scholarship support from this program, it will help them have more conditions to continue going to school, without having to leave their studies unfinished because of difficult circumstances.

Promoting role as “bridge”

In addition to models offering “Red Cross” houses and scholarships to students with difficult circumstances, provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels successfully implemented the 2024 “Tet nhan ai” (Compassionate Tet) campaign. Through propaganda and mobilization, provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels distributed 75,437 gift packages to disadvantaged individuals, with a total value of VND 49.3 billion or 251.4% of the target set by the Red Cross Central Committee.

Donating a “Red Cross” house to a household in need of housing in Thu Dau Mot city’s Chanh Nghia ward

In addition, the campaign of “Each organization, each individual should stick to a humanitarian address” continued being effectively maintained by provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels. To assist more disadvantaged individuals, helping them overcome difficulties and integrate into the community, the campaign's Steering Committee intensified awareness efforts, emphasizing the goals and significance of the campaign to organizations, individuals and authorities at all levels. Reviewing those with extremely difficult circumstances who need assistance is also regularly carried out with special attention by the association in order to promptly mobilize and help them rise in life, integrate into the community and not miss out on those who need help. As a result, this year, the entire association has surveyed, compiled documents and provided regular assistance to 1,631 humanitarian addresses, with a total amount of assistance reaching over VND 5.3 billion.

Other humanitarian activities were well realized by provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels, bringing practical benefits to those in need. A notable example was the “Zero-dong Market” program, which organized 160 market events valued at a total of VND 14.2 billion, benefiting over 25,580 people. During this year’s Humanitarian Month, provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels mobilized resources to conduct numerous meaningful humanitarian activities, assisting over 47,490 underprivileged individuals with a total support value exceeding VND 16.2 billion...With their assigned functions and responsibilities, provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels excelled in its role as the backbone of humanitarian activities and as a “bridge” connecting donors with those in need over the past time. Through contributions from organizations and individuals, provincial Red Cross Societies at all levels organized numerous charitable activities, providing practical aid to disadvantaged individuals, spreading compassion throughout the community.

Reported by Hong Thuan-Translated by Kim Tin