Since Da Nang braced for a second wave of Covid-19 infections in late July, many people across the city have taken meaningful actions to support their city’s efforts to fight against deadly virus.

Da Nang citizens have pulled together in tough times and there has already been a fantastic community response to coronavirus with lots of acts of kindness across the city.

A kindhearted man giving cash and in-kind gift to a disabled older woman who is in financial hardship because of the coronavirus crisis

Providing free meals for medical workers and Covid-19 patients in the Hoa Vang Field Hospital along with offering helping hand to those who need it

“Doctors are busy around clock treating patients with Covid-19, and saving lives of severely ill  patients, while a large number of officers and men from police and military forces have to put aside their messy personal work and tasted life away from their beloved families to adhere to their 24-hour work schedule to serve in close combat frontline roles in a bid to stop the spread of the virus. Therefore, Da Nang citizens like us want to contribute to the city's fight against Covid-19 pandemic’, said Vo Thi Bich Van, the Head of Hoa Khuong Dong Village chapter of the Da Nang Women's Union.

Van and other women across the village have volunteered in preparing daily meals for medical workers and Covid-19 patients in the Hoa Vang Field Hospital since late July.

Every day, these women have to wake up so early in the morning, to do personal hygiene in a prompt fashion, and then, in a prompt fashion, embark on their tasks in the hospital which last from 6:00am till 7:00pm.

For lunch or dinner, these volunteers prepare free meals for up to 500 medical workers and patients in the hospital.

“In spite of working continuously for many hours during scorching days, and facing other inconveniences, I have always keep in my mind on fulfilling all the my volunteer tasks well so as to make contributions to the city’s fight against coronavirus”, said Nguyen Thi Huyen, one of the volunteer ‘cooks’.

Besides, these women have been active in making fabric masks to give the needy, and providing free meals to medical workers and security personnel staffing a checkpoint set up in a major gateway to the Hoa Nhon Commune.

Also, they have appealed for donors across the country to donate food and other necessities to women struggling financially due to the pandemic. In fact, their silent, simple yet deeply meaningful actions have warmed the hearts of the disadvantaged recipients. 

Making hospital uniforms for frontline health workers fighting coronavirus

Likewise, a group of women from Hoa Tho Dong Ward in Cam Le District have launched a campaign to make hospital uniforms for frontline health workers fighting coronavirus.

Each of hospital uniforms is cherished and careful with the sewers, sending their love and appreciation in every needle line and thread.

The steady, throbbing sound of sewing machines is heard in the home of Nguyen Thi Thu Nga, the Head of the Residential Quarter No 15 chapter of the municipal Women's Union, amid the repetitive rhythmic processes of sewing, hospital uniforms come into shape.

The living room of Nga's house is used to cut fabric, iron clothes, and the attic is for sewing and spinning. Pro and amateur sewers in Hoa Tho Dong Ward are using their skills to make hospital uniforms comfortable for health workers fighting coronavirus. They have got behind their sewing machine  and worked hard from 7:00am to 6:00pm daily in an effort to help protect those fighting coronavirus on the frontline.

They are very careful when making male and female hospital uniforms separately and have three sizes. Each of hospital uniforms is cherished and careful with the sewers, sending their love and appreciation in every needle line and thread.

“I am glad that the idea is supported enthusiastically by the women's union and its members. I hope that when there are clothes to change more often, frontline healthcare workers will not get sweaty, ensuring better health”, Nga said.

Nga said she is not afraid of difficulties and hard work. If someone supports her with materials, she and other women can make up to 2,000 sets of hospital uniforms per month to donate to medical workers.

Providing suport for those struggling financially due to Covid-19

In a similarly supportive move, many charity groups and clubs across have exerted their efforts in appealing for nationwide donations of basic necessities for those financially affected by Covid-19 pandemic, especially the disadvantaged and elderly

For instance, Ho Van Dac, the former Secretary of the Da Nang Youth Union has raised 300 million VND from generous philanthropies to present in-kind gifts worth 500,000 VND each to hundreds of poor families.

By HUYNH LE – Translated by A.T