Corporate social responsibility efforts step up during COVID-19 pandemic

Corporate social responsibility- enterprise's great mission 

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is no longer a new concept in the world as well as Vietnam. Companies can demonstrate social responsibility in a variety of ways such as contributing to society, environmental protection, ensuring safety and benefits for the consumer, and maintaining a good relationship with employees. 

SHB, T&T Group and enterprises of businessman Do Quang Hien donate more than VND6 billion (US$260,000))for the fight against COVID-19 in the central region of Vietnam/ Photo Duy Anh.

Facing a pandemic that might leave a big impact on the country and the world, businesses have ignored making a profit and collaborated with the government, socio-political organizations, and community to combat the disease as well as cope with its aftermath.

In the world, Apple and Google have partnered in a joint effort to enable the use of Bluetooth technology to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the virus, with user privacy and security central to the design.

The Visa foundation also announced a commitment of two programmes totaling US$210 million for emergency relief as well as small and micro-businesses. Some of the world’s wealthiest are helping the global efforts to combat the COVID-19. That is the spirit of the individuals and also the corporate social responsibility.

In Vietnam, businessman Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, president of Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG), has pledged VND30 billion (nearly US$1.3 million), to fight COVID-19, and aid the Mekong Delta to cope with the ongoing drought. Of these, VND25 billion ($1 million) will be used to purchase medical equipment to treat those infected by the pandemic.

Hoa Phat Group’s Chairman Tran Dinh Long has contributed VND5 billion ($215,000) to the Ministry of Health and National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

T&T Group, Saigon – Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank SHB and other companies namely Saigon - Hanoi Insurance Corporation (BSH), Vietnam National Aviation Insurance Corporation (VNI), Saigon- Hanoi Securities Joint Stock Company (SHS), have donated a total of VND6.1 billion ($262,000)  to the fight against the disease in three provinces in the Central region.

T&T Group has offered more than VND20 billion ($860,000) to aid poor families who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 28 provinces and cities nationwide.

A Vietnamese Government poster to fight COVID-19/ Artists: Do Nhu Diem - Thai Binh

The imprint of Vingroup

Billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, chairman of Vingroup, donated VND5 billion ($215,00) to COVID-19 prevention and combatting work and VND100 billion to purchase medical equipment for SARS-CoV2 testing.

Since February, the Vingroup Innovation Fund (VINIF) and Vingroup Big Data Institute (VINBDI) under VinGroup have committed to sponsoring three COVID-19 rapid response research projects of Vaccine and Biological Production No. 1 (Vabiotech), the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health – Hanoi Medical University.

Scientists of Vabiotech are developing a “Made in Vietnam” vaccine project with the funding of VinIF. It is expected that the project would be completed ahead of the schedule.

“We would need 9-12 more months to complete the vaccine, but we’re trying to shorten this time frame,” said Mac Van Trong from Vabiotech company. Vingroup has recently given the Ministry of Health DrAidTM Software and attached devices to aid prognosis assessment in COVID-19 treatment.

DrAidTM is the first AI (artificial intelligence) software in Vietnam and has been developed by VinBrain (VinGroup) since 2019 to assist in the diagnosis of pulmonary, cardiac, and bone diseases based on X-ray. It is currently used in 12 hospitals, one clinic, and one system of mobile X-ray vans in Hanoi and adjacent cities.

Previously, upon being informed that Vietnamese health sector was facing difficulties due to a lack of ventilators, Vingroup has decided to invest in manufacturing ventilators. Currently, Vingroup has produced two models of the ventilator, VFS-410, and VFS-510, which are appreciated by leading agencies and hospitals in Vietnam for meeting the needs of COVID-19 treatment and other diseases.

Up to now, the total sponsorship fund of Vingroup for supporting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic of the health sector, localities, and partners have reached more than VND900 billion ($38.7 million), excluding funding for investment in manufacturing ventilators.

UNICEF' propaganda of COVID-19 pandemic fighting in Vietnam.

Giving is receiving

According to Nguyen Thanh Chung, chairman of the Board of Directors of AZ Consulting and Investment Services Joint Stock Company, CSR shouldn’t be understood as just charity work. The companies’ contributions are not only money but also technology, personnel, finance, expertise, or equipment.

“All are the values ​​that businesses can bring to the fight against COVID-19. If CSR has been done well, it will help businesses develop more sustainably, pay more attention to customers and community, and show ethics and culture of enterprises,” he said.

Companies and corporations face many difficulties with the emergence of the pandemic. However, the disease can break out again anytime until effective vaccines are produced.

Businesses shouldn’t put all the burden on the State’s shoulder because it was difficult for enterprises to operate effectively when people’s lives have not yet stabilized, Chung said.