Needy People in Vietnam's Localities Reeling from Ravaging Effects of Covid

Many workers in the country have had their earnings put on hold while others remain jobless due to the ravaging pandemic. Some non-governmental organizations and foreign embassies implemented programs to support disadvantaged children and households amid Covid-19.

The New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi is working with Oxfam Vietnam and the Center for Disability and Development (DRD Vietnam) to provide immediate financial support for female workers in informal sectors in Ho Chi Minh City (especially in District 7, District 12 and Binh Thanh District), who have struggled with the economic impact of Covid-19.

In the next three months, over 700 disadvantaged and vulnerable workers, especially women in worst-hit districts of the southern hub, will receive VND 1.5 million in cash each to help them buy necessities like food and medicine.

The aid package was built based on an evaluation of Covid-19 impacts on migrant workers in HCM City compiled by Oxfam and its two partners in August.

On Oct. 5, New Zealand Charge d’Affaires to Vietnam Joseph Mayhew joined a virtual ceremony to officially hand over the financial package to the workers; affirming that the aid package serves as proof of a close-knit partnership between New Zealand and Vietnam.

This is the fifth such project the New Zealand Embassy has delivered this year in conjunction with a range of partners. In total we have been able to support around 3,000 women impacted by Covid-19 across the country.

A student during their online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Illustrative image. Source: VNA

The VinaCapital Foundation (VCF) on Oct. 4 announced that the "Help Vietnam Breathe - Vì Nhịp Thở Việt Nam" campaign has successfully raises 4.000.000 Golden Pigs on Momo E-Wallet.

On Sep. 10, VinaCapital Foundation in collaboration with MoMo Piggy Bank launched the campaign to raise 4.000.000 Golden Pigs (equivalent to VND 600 million) to support ventilators and personal protective equipment to save Covid-19 patients' lives and protect the health of frontline healthworkers from the risk of infection.

After 24 days of fundraising, the campaign has completed its initial donation goal. Specifically, through MoMo Piggy Bank, the campaign achieved 4.000.010 Golden Pigs from 737.777 donations.

Moreover, on the occasion of MoMo Piggy Bank's birthday, in 4 days from Sep. 23 to Sep. 26, VinaCapital Foundation and Heartbeat Vietnam successfully raised VND 15 million through MoMo to provide two computers for online learning to help two in more than 8.700 poor children with congenital heart defects that have been supported to receive surgeries through Heartbeat Vietnam program since 2006.

Due to the pandemic's restrictions, both Duc Anh and Xuan Truong have to study online from home. However, their parents lost income due to the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic and their families can't afford to buy them computers or smartphones. With the new computers sponsored by MoMo community, VCF hopes that Duc Anh and Xuan Truong will study better and more effectively, as well as have the chance to access more opportunities for personal development.

Photo: Dinh Phuong Anh/ UN Women

Last week, UN Women in Vietnam also has carried out a hand-over ceremony of essential equipment worth VND 483,400,000 (US$21,200) to further upgrading the free helpline (1900 96 9680) improve responses to calls and reports of violence against women, and support to victims of human trafficking.

️Speaking at the handover ceremony, Elisa Fernandez Saenz, UN Women Representative in Vietnam said, “The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with rigorous response measures, has exacerbated pre-existing limitations regarding services to respond to violence against women and children. Therefore, support to upgrade these services is necessary, not only in the context of Covid-19, but in the long term to ensure the dignity, survival and social integration of women who are survivors of violence and human trafficking. UN Women is delighted to accompany Peace House Shelters in this journey.”

The helpline number 1900 96 9680, along with a counseling room, and three Peace House Shelters all run by the Center for Women and Development under the Vietnam Women's Union, were established to provide emergency and comprehensive support services for women and children experiencing domestic violence, sexual abuse and trafficking.

These supports are part of UN Women's efforts to end violence and trafficking in women in ASEAN especially in the context of the pandemic which has increased violence against women and children. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of consultations via both the helpline and social media channels of Peace House Shelters increased 7 times compared to 2019.

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