On the occasion of the peak month ‘For the Poor’ (from October 17 to November 18, 2023) and in response to the World Day against Poverty (October 17), the chapters of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) at all levels in Da Nang have actively mobilised support for the ‘For the Poor’ Fund, thereby creating resources to support the poor in life with the aim of leaving no one behind.

Vice President of the Da Nang VFF Committee Tran Thi Man (2nd, right) gives support to Mr. Le Van Hai's family, a poor household in An Hai Dong Ward, Son Tra District. Photo: X.H

Joy in the house of great unity

The dream of having a solid house that can withstand against natural disasters raised by Ms. Nguyen Thi Ni in Phuoc My Ward, Son Tra District finally came true as recently, the VGG of Phuoc My Ward organised a handover a ‘great solidarity’ house to her family.

Raising 3 children by herself, including a young child who unfortunately has a serious illness, Ms. Ni struggles to take care of her family with disadvantages. The small old house was degraded, and damaged for many years but she did not have enough money to repair it.

The VFF chapter of Phuoc My Ward supported VND50 million from the municipal VFF, VND10 million from benefactors for the construction of this house. “Even in my wildest dreams, I wouldn’t have dared to think that I would have such a spacious house. The family is very happy. From now on, I no longer have to worry when the rainy season and storms come," Ms. Ni confided.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, the Chairman of the VFF chapter of Phuoc My Ward, to date, the VFF chapter has mobilised more than VND210 million for the ‘For the Poor’ Fund in 2023. Along with the help of the benefactors, the VFF chapter completed the construction of 3 ‘great solidarity’ houses.

According to Chairman of the VFF chapter of Son Tra District Bui Nguyen Tan Phong, the District's 2023 ‘For the Poor’ Fund mobilisation work has so far reached more than VND2.6 billion.

From the support fund, 11 ‘great solidarity’ houses were built at the amount of VND560 million, 25 houses were repaired at a cost of VND414 million and livelihood support for poor households in particularly difficult circumstances was supported with the amount of VND65 million.

In addition, the district-level VFF chapter also donated VND300 million to support the programme of building ‘great solidarity’ houses for poor households in the northern province of Dien Bien. The unit has proactively deployed to wards to launch the peak month ‘For the Poor’ in 2023.

In Hai Chau District, the construction of ‘great solidarity’ houses in 2023 has now reached more than 80% of the plan. Recently, the VFF chapter of Thanh Binh Ward organised the handover of a ‘great solidarity’ house to Mr. Ho Xuan Quynh’s family with an amount of VND50 million from the support of the Da Nang VFF.

Mr. Quynh's family is poor and their house where many generations have lived has been seriously degraded but there are no financial conditions to build a new one. With the support of the municipal VFF, associations, unions and sponsors, the family received financial support to build a house with peace of mind in life.

According to Chairman of the Hai Chau District VFF, Vo Thanh Trung, the VFF chapters at all district levels raised donations from the ‘For the Poor’ Fund to reach more than VND5.3 billion, exceeding the registered target.

The ‘For the Poor’ Fund has support the construction of 20 ‘great solidarity’ houses with an amount of more than VND1 billion, repaired 38 houses with an amount of VND743 million VND; supporting means of livelihood for 46 cases with an amount of VND384 million, supporting scholarships for 660 pupils and students; donated VND600 million for the solidarity house building programme for poor households in Dien Bien Province.

Launching peak month ‘For the poor’

According to statistics from the city’s VFF, as of September 15, 2023, the ‘For the Poor’ Fund in the entire city mobilised more than VND24.9 billion. From this fund, the city’s VFF at all levels supported the construction of 83 new ‘great solidarity’ houses with a total cost of over VND4.3 billion, the repair of 235 houses with a cost of over VND4 billion, the provision of medical examination and treatment for poor residents with serious disease at a cost of more than VND398 million, and the granting of 2,935 scholarships to poor students overcoming difficulties with a total cost of more than VND2.8 billion.

As one of the units actively participating in social security work, the Da Nang Water Supply Joint Stock Company donated VND100 million to the city's ‘For the Poor’ Fund in 2023.

According to Mr. Tran Phuoc Thuong, Deputy General Director of the company, despite difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19, responding to the call of the city's VFF Committee, the company's leadership and employees are willing to spend a little income to support the ‘For the Poor’ Fund which joins hands with the community to support the poor.

According to Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang VFF Committee Tran Thi Man, the organisation of activities to respond to the peak month ‘For the Poor’ in 2023 is a very meaningful job.

Some businesses in the city has stopped production, which caused workers lost their jobs or had to reduce working hours, many families' lives fell into sudden difficulties and near poverty, and they are in dire need of support.

Therefore, the VFF chapters at all levels needs to continue to raise awareness and responsibility of all levels, agencies, organisations and individuals to join hands to help poor households and people in difficult circumstances and participate in supporting the ‘For the Poor’ Fund.

“In addition to publicise the purpose and meaning of the Peak Month ‘For the Poor’ in 2023, VFF chapters at all levels also publicise on their website a typical individual who has actively contributed to the ‘For the Poor’ Fund at all levels and typical examples of economic development, overcoming difficulties and escaping poverty.

Reporting by XUAN HAU - Translating by A.THU