(VOVworld) – Vietnam pays attention to taking care of the poor during the Lunar New Year festival (Tet). Agencies, organizations and individuals have sent millions of Tet gifts to the needy people, making these activities a necessary social work.

Tet gifts are given to needy people

Sectors’ thorough preparations

One month before Tet, President Truong Tan Sang signed a decision on giving the President’s gifts to those who render great services to the revolution. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has decided to provide 12 thousand tons of rice to people in 12 provinces. Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen says: “The poor receive support from the Party and State’s regular policies. During the Tet holidays, local authorities allocate their budget or mobilize other resources for the needy. We have instructed localities to review aid recipients’ lists so that nobody is left out. Workers of bankrupt enterprises should be taken care of”.

Local authorities, Party committees and sectors allocated appropriate funds to prepare Tet for the poor. In addition to 16 million USD from the State budget, 23 million USD has been raised to buy gifts to 2.5 million people, who have rendered great services to the nation.

The People’s Committee of Quang Binh province disbursed 50,000 USD and provided 3,400 tons of rice to 5,000 poor and disadvantaged households. Khanh Hoa province bought more than 500 tons rice for poor in addition to cash. In Quang Binh, 250,000 USD were raised for policy beneficiaries and veteran revolutionaries. Phan Thanh Chung, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hai An commune, Quang Tri province, told VOV:“The communal Party Committee, People’s Committee and organizations pay much attention to social welfare. We have given 3,000 USD to disadvantaged households. Each household receives from 10 USD to 25 USD”.

Involvement of social organizations, enterprises

A fortnight before Tet the Vietnam Red Cross Society presented 1 million Tet gifts to disadvantaged families and Agent Orange/dioxin victims nationwide. Doan Van Thai is Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Red Cross Society:“Thanks to the contributions of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, from one third to half of poor households in Vietnam have received aid packages. The Red Cross branches have also given gifts to especially-disadvantaged families and victims of Agent Orange/dioxin”.

A Ho Chi Minh City-based voluntary club called “Smile of heart” has given clothes, books and sweets to children of ethnic groups in Phu Yen province. Head of the club Tran Thi Uyen Phuong told VOV: “This year we are very happy to reach communes in Phu Yen to deliver aid and scholarships to local children”.

The Hanoi Transport Company has pledged to carry home poor employees who work at industrial and export-processing zones free of charge during Tet. Nguyen Hoang Trung is Deputy Director of the company: “In this program we will deployed 74 buses, including 50 buses to transport workers in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong to their home towns in the north. We also help carry students return home for Tet”.

Expanding aid recipients

Victims of floods and other natural disasters have also been cared for. Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen says: “Our ministry has proposed the Government to provide 55,000 tons of rice to households affected by natural disasters. This is an emergency relief for them and more people will be assisted. Like in 2013, we propose timely support of rice for the people to enjoy Tet”.