Brian Jeffrey
In response to the appeal from the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, numerous entities, businesses, and individuals both within Vietnam and overseas have generously contributed support through the Central Relief Mobilization Committee.
As of the afternoon of September 14, contributions totaling VND1.001 trillion had been transferred to the committee. They have committed to promptly verify these donations and allocate resources to the regions most severely affected by recent storms.
On the same day, Truong Thi Ngoc Anh, the deputy chair of the Central Committee, received a number of donors who arrived in person to offer their support.
Among the significant contributors were Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, who donated VND100 million, and Nguyen Thi Hoa from Ba Dinh district, who contributed VND3 million.
A group of overseas Vietnamese students from Springvale, Melbourne, donated VND7.2 million, while businesspeople from the Asia Dragon Svatykiz shopping center and nearby areas contributed VND589.6 million.
In an inspiring gesture, young children also participated in aiding those affected by the floods. Ten-year-old Le Gia Tu and five-year-old Le Hai Lam brought their piggy banks to donate their accumulated VND3 million. Witnesses shared that the children’s savings comprised small denomination notes, reflecting their sacrifices from daily meals.
Dinh Hong Duong, the mother of Tu and Lam, explained her intention to teach her children about empathy and generosity towards those in distress. She emphasized the importance of nurturing a compassionate spirit in her children for those facing hardships.
Earlier, on September 13, a fourth-grade student, Dao Minh Duc, visited the front with his father to contribute directly. He penned a heartfelt letter to families in flood-impacted areas, conveying his sympathy and hope for their challenges to be resolved soon.
Duc’s father expressed confidence in the reputation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, which has used public bank statements to ensure transparency in how donations are handled.
He mentioned that while contributions from individual families may be modest, collective efforts from all families across Vietnam could make a significant impact on those in need.
Upon receiving the children’s contributions, Anh expressed gratitude to their parents for fostering a spirit of kindness and solidarity in their children.
“We aspire for these values to be upheld so that the younger generation continues to care for their fellow citizens,” Anh stated.
Though the storm has passed, the compassion demonstrated towards those affected will resonate in the hearts of the Vietnamese community.
Anh affirmed that every donation, regardless of its size, holds substantial value. These contributions reflect both material assistance and the enduring spirit of unity among the Vietnamese people.
She expressed hope that the kindness shown by individuals and organizations would continue, empowering storm-affected communities to recover and rebuild their lives.
Assuring donors, Anh stated that the Central Relief Mobilization Committee will handle the funds responsibly, ensuring prompt, open, and lawful allocation of resources to aid those in need.
