Vietnam Asks NGOs for Humanitarian Assistance Amidst Sudden Increase in COVID-19 Cases

Due to the fourth COVID-19 case’s surge, Vietnam announced a state of emergency. There were a lot of confirmed cases in Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, and Ho Chi Minh, and the Minister of Health also announced the emergence of a new mutant virus on May 28. This was the first time a hybrid of alpha-delta mutant virus, which is highly contagious, was discovered in Vietnam. Governments and the World Health Organization [WHO] are watching this, and are nervous about the emergence of the new mutant virus.

Until then, the Vietnamese government had successfully controlled the epidemic. However, since the end of April this year, the number of confirmed cases increased rapidly, and more than half of the total confirmed cases occurred during this period. The Prime Minister of Vietnam ordered the People’s Aid Co-ordinating Committee [PACCOM] to request humanitarian assistance from NGOs in a dangerous situation where the quarantine network would be penetrated.

The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the “WeLoveU”), an international NGO, had been providing humanitarian aid to Vietnam in various ways, starting with the support for the construction of a children’s center in 2002. On October 21, last year, the WeLoveU signed a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] with Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and promised to cooperate in promoting the health and well-being of the Vietnamese people. Amid the urgent COVID-19 situation, the WeLoveU made a decision to support the Vietnam Red Cross Society [VRC] and visited the agency on June 11. After the meeting with the people in charge, they decided to donate 35,000 face masks and 1,000 portable hand sanitizers (each of 70 ml).

The President of the VRC Hopes That This Ceremony Will Be a Meaningful First for Cooperation With the WeLoveU

The WeLoveU members quickly prepared the coronavirus prevention supplies and held a delivery ceremony on June 17 at the reception room of the VRC.

President Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, who attended the delivery ceremony, was surprised after watching the video about the WeLoveU’s activity and said, “Our projects are very similar to the ones the WeLoveU carries out. We will first provide these supplies to healthcare personnel in Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Ho Chi Minh, and Hanoi, where the spread of the virus is severe.” Then, she expressed, “I hope that today’s delivery ceremony will be a meaningful first step for the cooperation between the Red Cross and the WeLoveU.” Actually, the VRC and the WeLoveU are taking the lead in solving the difficulties of society such as emergency relief, humanitarian aid, blood donation, and disaster response.

Luong Hong Thuy, the Director of the VRC’s External Relations and Development, said, “The donated supplies are very practical for local citizens, especially those who contribute to the prevention of infectious diseases. I will always join the activities of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation.”

On that day, the VRC President delivered a certification titled, “A precious heart for humanitarian aid,” to the WeLoveU and thanked them again for helping to prevent infectious diseases. The VRC’s President, Director of External Relations and Development, the Head of Health Care Department, and the WeLoveU members all smiled while taking commemorative photos together. The scene of the delivery ceremony was published in nine different media, including the VRC Internet magazine.

The VRC and the WeLoveU, which have taken the lead in saving precious lives from disasters and diseases and caring for the weak, have walked the same path until now. The cooperation between the two organizations will be a great synergy, bringing hope and comfort to people around the world. We look forward to the united walk of those with good hearts who value others before themselves.