State President appeals for joint efforts in COVID-19 combat

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has appealed to people both at home and abroad, businesses, and organisations to make material and spiritual donations to join with the entire political system in driving back COVID-19.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) makes a donation at the launch of the fundraising campaign on May 27. (Photo: VNA)
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) makes a donation at the launch of the fundraising campaign on May 27. (Photo: VNA)

At the launch of a COVID-19 fundraising campaign held virtually by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee on May 27, President Phuc expressed his gratitude to healthcare workers and relevant forces for their constant efforts to contain the pandemic.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people are highly grateful to philanthropists for their donations, calling on all people to remain united in this combat.

Stressing that the country is now in need of contributions from every people, the State leader asked citizens from all social strata both at home and abroad, businesses in all economic sectors, organisations, followers of religions, as well as other countries’ people to join hands with the entire Party, people, and army to defeat the pandemic.

He also told all-level authorities, sectors, and people to thoroughly grasp the spirit of the motto “fighting the pandemic is like fighting an enemy”, asking the Government to invest every resource and take drastic, timely, uniform, and effective actions to combat the coronavirus disease.

The President emphasised that ensuring sufficient COVID-19 vaccines at the present time is also a decisive factor in claiming victory in the fight.

At the launch, President Phuc, leaders of ministries and sectors, socio-political organisations, and religious dignitaries made donations to the pandemic prevention and control. Meanwhile, businesses and philanthropists pledged contributions worth over VND2.7 trillion VND (US$116.8 million) to the efforts.

The country recorded more than VND1.3 trillion donated to the anti-pandemic fight between April 27 and May 26.

On the same day, the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission held an internal fundraising event to support the nation’s COVID-19 relief efforts, during which Politburo member and head of the commission Truong Thi Mai and its public employees donated at least one day’s salary each.

In response to the VFF Central Committee’s appeal, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Lam Dong Province held separate ceremonies on Thursday to receive respective sums of more than VND2 trillion, VND12.5 billion and VND23 billion, in donations from philanthropists, agencies, units, businesses and people to purchase COVID-19 vaccines and assist in the anti-pandemic efforts.