Implementing the theme of the year 2024 "Boosting administrative reform, strengthening discipline, continuing to unblock investment resources, promoting economic growth and ensuring social security", since the beginning of the year, authorities, associations and unions at all levels across Da Nang have been concentrating on caring for and ensuring social security for local people.

The Hai Chau 1 Ward chapter of the Da Nang Fatherland Front Committee coordinated with the sponsoring unit to hand over a new houses to poor household. Photo: L.P

According to the municipal Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, in the first 6 months of 2024, policies to support the poor in accessing basic social services were well carried out citywide.

Accordingly, nearly 35,000 health insurance cards were issued to people in poor households, near-poor households, and households escaping poverty. More than 6,000 preschoolers and pupils enjoyed tuition fee exemption and reduction, whilst other nearly 3,000 preschoolers and pupils received financial support for their study expenses. Loans were disbursed to 1,200 needy families.

In addition, the city gave monthly allowances of VND 500,000 - VND 600,000 each to 750 poor people with serious illnesses; VND 300,000 - VND 500,000 each to 2,900 poor people who are social protection beneficiaries, the elderly, and those who are often sick; and VND 400,000 each to 850 people aged from 75 to below 80 from poor and near-poor households. Also, the monthly electricity subsidy of VND 60,000 was given to each of over 7,244 poor households.

In addition, the municipal Fatherland Front Committees and its chapters at all levels implemented many social security programmes to take care of the lives of members and people in difficulty.

Chairman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Da Nang cum Head of the local "For the Poor" Fund Mobilisation Board Le Van Trung said that during the 6-month period, more than VND 19.6 billion was raised for the "For the Poor" Fund, exceeding nearly 6.6% over the same period.

Of the figure, VND 18,209 billion went to care for the lives of poor households such as building and repairing ‘great solidarity’ houses with an amount of VND1.3 billion; providing means of livelihood at a total cost of VND 75 million; granting scholarships, totalling VND 220.4 million, to poor studious pupils; and presenting Tet gifts and supporting sudden difficulties for poor households with an amount of VND 6.541 billion.

Associations and social organisations have increased their mobilisation of resources to care for their members. IN PHOTO: Chairman of the City Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin Nguyen Van An (left) presenting gifts to victims of Agent Orange. Photo: LAM PHUONG

Moreover, the municipal Labour Federation presented 50 Trade Union shelters, worth VND 1.65 billion in total, to union members with housing difficulties. The Veterans Association mobilised 9,047 gifts valued at nearly VND 3.79 billion in total to members in difficult circumstances; presented 8,091 gifts totalling VND 998 million to help those in need; provided means of livelihood for 17 members; and supported VND 515 million for building and repairing 14 houses.

The Da Nang Red Cross Society raised nearly VND 29.45 billion, supported 974 humanitarian addresses with the amount of VND 3.93 billion, and gave free meals at hospitals and organised charity trips with the amount of VND 3.985 billion.

The city’s Association for Supporting Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children mobilised more than VND 7.983 billion; funded surgery for poor children with heart complaints with the amount of nearly VND 1.78 billion; build the charity kitchen at the Da Nang Oncology Hospital at a cost of over VND 1.411 billion; and supported VND 2.307 billion in medical examination and treatment costs for 710 women and children with serious illnesses.

The municipal Association of Victims of AO/Dioxin raised more than VND 5.2 billion from domestic and foreign resources to help 8,222 victims of AO.

Reporting by LAM PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG