Rice provided to COVID-19-hit localities

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has directed the concerned authorities to develop plans to offer free rice to localities hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A local person in Hoi An City, Quang Nam province is given free rice to ease her difficulties during the COVID-19 epidemic. (Photo: NDO/Quoc Viet)
A local person in Hoi An City, Quang Nam province is given free rice to ease her difficulties during the COVID-19 epidemic. (Photo: NDO/Quoc Viet)

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In a document issued by the Government Office, Khai requested the two Ministries of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and Finance, as well as local authorities in provinces and cities implementing strict social distancing order to urgently collect calculate the total needs for rice supports for people facing difficulties due to the epidemic, and send the proposal to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on today, August 17.

The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs was asked to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance on summarising local rice support needs, reporting these to the Prime Minister on August 18.

On August 16, Khai also signed a decision directing the Ministry of Finance to set aside more than 4,117 tonnes of rice from the national reserve to support residents in the COVID-19 hit localities of Binh Phuoc, Bac Lieu and Soc Trang.

Of which, Binh Phuoc province is to be provided with 559.74 tonnes of rice, Bac Lieu province 636,975 tonnes and Soc Trang 2,921,085 tonnes.