(VNF) - The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) held a ceremony in Hanoi on November 19^th to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of its establishment (November 23^rd, 1946-2016) and organised an artistic exchange named Sang mai nhung tam long nhan dao (“Forever Shining Humanitarian Hearts”).

Speaking at the ceremony, National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan praised the efforts and outstanding dedication of VRCS’s staff, members and volunteers nationwide in humanitarian activities.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan praises the efforts and outstanding dedication of VRCS’s staff, members and volunteers nationwide in humanitarian activities. (Credit: Vietnam Red Cross Society)

She stressed that over 30 years of doi moi, the country has continuously developed in all respects with people's lives constantly improving. However, Vietnam is facing many difficulties and challenges from the burdensome consequence of the past wars, complicated natural disasters due to climate change, potential damage to the ecological environment and outbreaks of dangerous diseases.

The legislator urged the VRCS to focus on implementing humanitarian social work will, and supporting community-based healthcare thorough blood and organ donation campaigns and participating in disaster prevention and emergency relief.

The NA leader suggested the society expand partnerships with organisations both within and outside the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in humanitarian work, affirming that Party and State always respect and facilitate the Red Cross in implementing its functions and duties in accordance with the seven basic principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Party committees and governments at all levels need to promote pivotal role of the VRCS in managing humanitarian operations and ensuring effectiveness of humanitarian activities, NA Chairwoman Ngan added.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (second from left) presents the second-class Labour Order to VRCS on the occasion of its 70^th anniversary. (Credit: Vietnam Red Cross Society)

At the ceremony, on behalf of the Party and State, NA Chairwoman Ngan awarded the second-class Labour Order to the VRCS for the second time in recognition of its outstanding contributions to the humanitarian sector.

On the occasion of the event, the society also presented its medal “For the Cause of Humanity” to leaders and former leaders of the Party and State and authorities, and also presented certificates of merit to 70 outstanding officials of the Red Cross movement throughout the country.

Donors and organisations and inpiduals who had made outstanding contributions to the humanitarian activities of the VRCS were also honoured at the event.

The society also launched “New Year for the Poor and Victims of Agent Orange 2017” at the ceremony.

Donors and organisations and inpiduals who had made outstanding contributions to the humanitarian activities of the VRCS were also honoured. (Credit: Vietnam Red Cross Society)

The VRCS was founded on November 23^rd, 1946 by President Ho Chi Minh, who was also its honorary president until his death in 1969.

On November 4^th, 1957, the VRCS was recognized as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), opening up a new charter in the development of ties with organizations in and outside the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

During the renovation period, the organization has been active with many large-scale humanitarian initiatives. Since 2008, it has raised nearly USD 115 million for the needy. The campaign “New Year for the poor and Agent Orange victims” presents gifts worth VND 500 billion (USD 22.7 million) to 1.8 million people each year.

The “cow bank” project, launched in 2010, has handed over around 20,000 cows to 20,000 households in 61 cities and provinces at a total cost of approximately USD 10 million.

Over the past decade, VRCS’s chapters have raised nearly USD 225 million, given support to 22.2 million disaster-hit victims, and collected 1 million units of blood each year in the voluntary blood donation campaign.

Mr. Jesper Moller (L), UNICEF Deputy Representative in Vietnam and Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, President of the Viet Nam Red Cross at the signing agreement. (Credit: Vietnam Red Cross Society)

On November 8^th, for the first time in 40 years, UNICEF and VRCS have signed a partnership agreement of a total value of VND 3 billion (approx. USD 125,000) to improve drinking water safety and hygiene practices among 30,000 of the most vulnerable people, including 10,000 school children and 15,000 women in six provinces affected by drought and salt water intrusion (Ben Tre, Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Soc Trang, Kon Tum and Gia Lai).

Through the cooperation agreement, UNICEF and VRCS will partner to deliver an emergency response in a total 24 schools and 12 communes over the next 4 month, in close collaboration with national partners./.

( Compiled by VNF )