PRESS RELEASE
Program “ACT TOGETHER TO OVERCOME COVID 19 – April 2020”
In response to the Call of the Government of Viet Nam on everyone to join hands in the fight against COVID-19, in the early days of April 2020, ActionAid Vietnam (AAV), Aid for Social Protection Program Foundation Vietnam (AFV) has actively coordinated and cooperated with donors and local authorities to urgently develop plans, prepare budgets and implement emergency assistance and communication programs to support the national fight against COVID 19 pandemic in Ha Quang district (Cao Bang province), Nho Quan district (Ninh Binh province), An Lao, Vinh Bao district (Hai Phong city), Krong Bong district (Dak Lak province), Lam Ha district (Lam Dong province), Krong No district (Dak Nong province), Binh Tan District (Ho Chi Minh City), Dong Hai district (Bac Lieu province), Ke Sach district (Soc Trang province) and Tra Vinh city (Tra Vinh province).
The support package valued 1.651 billion VND includes anti-virus personal hygiene items such as antibacterial gauze masks, antiseptic hand sanitizers, soap, mouthwash; daily essentials including rice, noodles, cooking oil, fish sauce, salt, milk … for poor households, families of people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, women, and children with difficult living conditions in the program areas. The support package aims to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in the community as well as to support the minimum living standards for poor local households. A total of 2,544 gifts were given to poor households by the program Management Board in cooperation with the local authorities. Also, AFV will provide production materials such as seeds, fertilizers, and tools to help poor households affected by the COVID-19 to restore their livelihoods and quickly stabilize their life after the pandemic is over.
AAV/AFV also developed two communication documents (1 set of infographics and 1 video clip) on COVID-19 prevention illustrated in 5 ethnic minority languages (Mong, Tay, Khmer, E De, Dao) and Vietnamese. The communication program is expected to reach 100,000 local people, contributing to raising the public awareness, particularly for the ethnic minorities on the pandemic prevention.
The emergency assistance and communication program affirm the commitment of ActionAid Vietnam and Aid for Social Protection Program Foundation Vietnam (AFV) together with the efforts of the community to fight the COVID-19 crisis. This has been reflected in the strategy of ActionAid Vietnam and Aid for Social Protection Program Foundation which actively contributes to the goal of “Leave no one behind” of the national sustainable development program in Vietnam.
Mr. Bui Van The Dai, Deputy Head of the Management of Supporting Program for Development of Nho Quan district shared “I would like to thank AAV/AFV and CBM for their timely support to the locality. This assistance is very practical in the current context of many poor households facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be a motivation for many households to overcome this difficult period.”
