In their efforts to bring a warm Tet to those affected by floods triggered by historic rainfall which soaked Da Nang on October 14, 2022, many benefactors across the city have launched meaningful programmes to help them overcome their difficulties. This is one of the city’s practical activities with deep community meaning, spreading the humanistic meaning of ‘good leaves protect torn leaves’.

Tet gifts given to those affected by natural disasters in 2022 are a great source of encouragement and motivation to them to help them recover their lives. Photo: CHIEN THANG

As one of the city's hardest- hit families, family of Mrs Vo Thi Ha living in Hoa Khanh Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District couldnot stopped worrying about all her family's assets that were swept away by raging floods.

Therefore, Mrs Ha expressed her delight at receiving Tet gifts from benefactors and volunteers. "Although Tet gifts include monosodium glutamate, sugar, fish sauce, cakes, and instant noodles, plus VND 200,000 in cash, they are very precious to my family and others in a similar situation at this time as they help us overcome our immediate challenges," she added.

Mr. Dinh Van Ba, a resident of Hoa Khanh Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District is another example. He felt happy after receiving a Tet gift from the Municipal Red Cross. He said: “A lot of our furniture and possessions were washed away by the floods triggered by historic rainfall, causing my family to face a lot of difficulties. However, authorities at all levels, relevant local agencies, organizations and individuals have joined efforts to provide timely support for us to help recover our lives. Their assistance is a great source of spiritual encouragement to those in difficult circumstances like us.”

Currently, Tet gifts prepared by the Sympathy Club are available to flood-affected people . Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hong Hoa, the Club Chairwoman, said that she had called on benefactors to donate thousands of gifts to support the poor and people in difficult circumstances, including those affected by the floods.

These gifts consist of essential items, including fish sauce, cooking oil, rice, noodles, and cash. The gifts will be given to families in especially difficult circumstances and those hit hardest by the recent floods. The club will work with authorities at local level to give these meaningful gifts to the right people under its programme called ‘Tet for the poor’ in a bid to give them strength to overcome their immediate difficulties.

“On December 28, 2022, we gave 107 gifts to disadvantaged families affected by natural disasters in Hoa Khanh Bac Ward, Lien Chieu District. These gifts showed the dedication and sincerity of the club’s members and benefactors in an effort to help the disadvantaged enjoy a warm and happy Tet. Perhaps for people in difficult circumstances, they will have even happier and warmer Tet as they receive the love and kindness from benefactors," said Mrs. Hoa.

Mr Than Duc Minh, the Chairman of Lien Chieu District’s Hoa Khanh Nam Ward People's Committee remarked “I have never seen such human love that demonstrates so strongly and clearly. The gifts which were donated by schools, pagodas, municipal government departments, individuals and others go to support those affected by the floods. These gifts partly helped flood-affected households recover their lives".

Mr. Nguyen Tien Lam, the Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Red Cross, said that a wide range of meaningful activities will be held across the city to support the needy and flood-affected households. Included are 3,400 food packages valued at VND 1 million and 1,500 household tool kits worth VND 1 million to be given to households, along with zero-dong Tet Market, humanitarian Market, distribution points which will open for the poor to shop essential items their families need free of charge.

For households that cannot come to receive gifts in person, the Da Nang Red Cross will work with authorities at local level to deliver gifts directly to them in order to ensure that eligible households will receive timely support. The organization will strive to give all support packages to eligible people before Tet.

Reporting by CHIEN THANG – Translating by H.L