The organisers of the 'Compassion Rice' charity programme announced on Thursday that the four so-called Rice ATMs in the city will stop operations starting from 17 May.

Vice Chairman of the municipal Young Entrepreneurs' Association Nguyen Hong Cuong said the automatic machines dispensed free rice to support those affected by the coronavirus pandemic citywide. However, the life in the city has gradually returned to normal after the municipal government began to ease social distancing rules on 23 April. Therefore, the rice dispensers will stop operations much earlier than initially-expected time set on 20 June.

As of 14 May, the organisers of the 'Compassion Rice' charity programme have received more than 235 tonnes of rice and over 570 million VND in cash in donations from generous individuals and organisations across Da Nang to support the operation of the so-called Rice ATMs.

By MAI QUE - Translated by MAI DUNG