The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) Central Committee on March 18 launched a campaign to support people seriously affected by droughts and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta – the “rice bowl” of Vietnam.

Mekong Delta people are thirsty for water as prolonged droughts
continue to rage on (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Earlier, the VRC coordinated with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to carry out emergency relief activities for locals in 12 communes of Ben Tre, Bac Lieu and Tra Vinh provinces with total expenses of over VND2.5 billion (US$107,316 ). 

By the end of this April, 24,000 poor and nearly-poor households in the delta are expected to ger clean water for daily use.

At the launch ceremony, the VRC also called upon people to join the country’s efforts in the fight against the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

The VRC handed over 3,000 face masks and 100 boxes of noodle to northern Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, Bac Giang and Ninh Binh provinces, each.

By March 18 evening, Vietnam confirmed a total of 76 cases of COVID-19, of which 16 had been cured and discharged from hospital.