As Da Nang is racing against time to tackle a second wave of Covid-19 infections, its startup community has been active in supporting the city's efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic in its own way.

"Together We Share - Da Nang" staff are seen giving the donated essentials to the Quang Nam General Hospital

Just a few days after the Da Nang government re-imposed its strict social distancing rules on its populations in line with the Prime Minister’s guidelines in late last month to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak, the ‘Together We Share - Da Nang’ group has actively acted as a ‘bridge’ to connect philanthropists nationwide and places where essential supplies are really needed.

The group was founded by Ms Nguyen Thi Phuong Nhi, the Community Director of the Da Nang Entrepreneurship Support (DNES)- a progressive business incubator in the city.  The group members are dedicated entrepreneurs active in the city's startup community.

Ms Nhi said that after first new community transmission cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Da Nang, many local residents have resorted to their own personal Facebook pages to show their willingness to help by themselves, or make appeals for donations nationwide to support those affected by the virus crisis. This fact, indeed, prompted Thi to come up with the initiative of setting up such a highly practical, reliable ‘information station’ to appeal philanthropists nationwide to support cash and in-kind donations  in a bid to help those struggling financially as a result of coronavirus in Da Nang and such its neighbouring localities as Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Nam provinces.

For more details, the group, itself, is on its own major mission to ensure that timely assistance will be provided to those in need. For instance, anyone who wants to give assistance to those struggling to afford food and other essentials, the group’s members will help kind-hearted donors to post their specific charity plans on their group’s official fanpage.

Since its inception late last month, the ‘Together We Share - Da Nang’ fanpage has received high public appreciation and applause, and it has till date attracted more than 1,400 members. 

In particular, the group’s members are young local startup entrepreneurs with high sense of responsibilities and devotion to the community. 

Mr Pham Duc Linh, the co-founder of the Hai Chau District-based Ylinkee Co., Ltd. is tasked himself with making Excel-based statistics on donations nationwide, and naming places where those in need access help are living in Hoa Vang District and Quang Nam Province. Another dedicated member, Mr. Luu Duy Tran, the manager of Peony Florist, is responsible for transporting the donated essentials and food to the needy.  Ms Ly Phuong Dung from the DNES business incubator is in charge of coming to local hospitals in person for the distribution of surgical N95 respirators and other necessary personal protective equipment pieces here.

Notably, a large number of startup entrepreneurs operating across Da Nang are showing their interest in providing financial support to those affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

Like ‘Together We Share - Da Nang’, the ‘F&B Tu Te – Da Nang Kitchen, which made its debut in late last month, has also considerably supported the city’s combat against the deadly virus.

The ‘Danang Kitchen’ volunteer kitchen project has provided thousands of free meals daily for frontline medical workers, and first responders including military and police personnel amid the coronavirus crisis.

The project has been initiated by Nguyen Truc Chi, a culinary expert from Ho Chi Minh City, who has been stranded in Da Nang due to the coronavirus outbreak. Ms Chi has contacted with some her old acquaintances in Da Nang to carry out the ‘Danang Kitchen’ charity kitchen project.  “We all know how challenging and difficult it is for doctors and nurses to save the lives of Covid-19 patients and we are willing to do all we can to support them”, said Ms Chi.

Ms Le Thi Bich Huong, a member of the Danang Kitchen project said: "We are willing to share our experience about preparing and cooking food safely with other kitchen volunteers in Da Nang in a bid to provide good nutritious and quality meals for frontline workers and first responders ”.

By KHANG NINH- Translated by A.T