Two programmes launched by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) have collected 143.5 billion VND (6.8 million USD) in donations to help the nation’s fishermen and families of naval soldiers and law enforcement officers at sea.

It was reported at a conference on December 26 that 45 billion VND (2.1 million USD) has been donated to the “Fishing nets of love for fishermen in Hoang Sa and Truong Sa” programme since its launch in September 2011.

The programme has granted a total of 39 billion VND (1.86 million USD) to hundreds of fishermen in central and southern provinces to help them buy new ships, repair old ships and continue fishing at sea.

In addition, more than 100 sets of communication equipment were handed over to fisheries trade unions to assist their members in their offshore trips.

Meanwhile, the “Love for Hoang Sa and Truong Sa” programme raised nearly 98.5 billion VND (4.76 million USD), most of which was spent on financial aid for the families of soldiers who are carrying out missions at sea

Part of the proceedings will be also used to build the Gac Ma memorial park dedicated to soldiers who sacrificed their life to defend the national sovereignty over Gac Ma island in Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

The VGCL has issued an appeal to trade union members nationwide to continue donating to the two programmes.