During the ‘decisive’ days fighting against the new COVID-19 wave in Da Nang, apart from fronline staff like doctors, police and army forces, the city has seen many outstanding examples of virus prevention and control bringing up the ‘rear’, with the active engagement by many urban and rural associations and Youth Union organisations through their highly creative and practical activities.

All of them have been active in helping in the city's fight against COVID-19, with the voluntary spirit and high sense of responsibility and enthusiasm to make efforts to contain the pandemic.

The members of Nam Duong Ward chapter of the municipal Women’s Union go from door to door so as to distribute facemasks and coronavirus information leaflets to residents. Photo: H.H

Donot stay out of the battle

In Hoa Tien Commune, Hoa Vang District, whether early in the morning or late in the evening, dozens of dedicated women belonging to the Cam Ne, Thach Bo, Duong Son, and Bac An chapters of the municipal Women’s Union have still maintained the ‘Portable speaker’s sound’ initiative. They have crept through village roads and alleys with motorbikes attached with loudspeakers to promote COVID-19 prevention rules to the public.

Ms Le Thi Xuan, a resident in Thach Bo Village, Hoa Tien Commune shared, ‘Portable speaker’s sound’ model has significantly contributed to raising public awareness of COVID-19 precautions.

Members of Thuan Phuoc Ward chapter of the municipal Women’s Union prepare meals for frontline staff at the medical facility and quarantine checkpoints. Photo by H.H

Members of the Hai Chau District-based Nam Duong Ward chapter of the municipal Women's Union have been assigned to go around local wet markets, shops, stores and restaurants to widely publicise the preventative measures every day. They distributed leaflets and medical facemasks to stallholders in wet markets and shoppers in tandem with advising them to comply with the city's COVID-19 rules.

“Currently, our ward houses seven checkpoints. Besides publicity, local women have also thoughtfully prepared nutritious meals and beverages for those who staff at these sites around the clock such as police forces, militiamen, medical staff, and doctors”, said Ms. Le Hoang Yen, Chairwoman of Hai Chau District-based Thuan Phuoc Ward chapter of the municipal Women's Union.

‘Shippers in blue – Shopping for locals’

In spite of food supplies distributed by commune-level authorities, the sequestered residents are still in desperate need of more supplemental foodstuff, other essential items and medicines. This fact inspired the Hai Chau District-based Thuan Phuoc Ward chapter of the municipal Youth Union to come up with the ‘Shippers in blue – Shopping for locals’ initiative, one of the meaningful activities during the COVID-19 fight.

Members of the ‘Shipper in blue’ team buy food for sealed-off households at a checkpoint. Photo: H.H

According to Ms. Le Thi Bich Hien, the Secretary of the Thuan Phuoc Commune chapter of the municipal Youth Union, members of the ‘Shipper in blue’ team are tasked themselves with making the purchase food and necessities for families in barricaded residential settings.

“At first, we are very worried since being kept for many days in sealed-off residential areas without having food bought for us by our relatives. Fortunately, ‘Shippers in blue – Shopping for locals’ is a very practical and meaningful activity at this inconvenient time triggered by the virus wave,” said Ms. Tran Bich Hang, a sequestered resident in Thuan Phuoc Ward.

As one of the energetic shippers-in-blue, Phan Duc Tan, a student from the Da Nang University of Education shared: "During my online learning amid the COVID-19 resurgence, I has volunteered to join this highly meaningful movement. Every time I helped a family or received a nod of thanks, I felt very happy and honoured to contribute a part of my energetic youth in the battle against the virus”.

Youth union members of Hoa Thuan Dong ward distributed anti-droplet face shields to small traders at the market. Photo by H.H

Every day, Tan and other volunteers buy foods as demanded by residents in the barricaded families. Already-bought food parcels consisting of meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, and beverage bear notes on the recipient's name and the purchased items. All food parcels are taken to a designated gathering point before being delivered to each family by the volunteers

Deputy Secretary of Hai Chau District chapter of the municipal Youth Union Nguyen Tan Tai said, “Promoting the spirit of volunteerism, members of the ward-level chapters have actively been engaged in making hundreds of anti-droplet hats for market stallholders and frontline staff, supporting functional forces at local checkpoints and checking the so-called ‘admission tickets’ which must be presented whenever a resident enters a market.

Reporting by HUY HOANG- Translating by T. VY, H. NGOC, T. AN