Tzu Chi Foundation shares burden in Vietnam’s epicenter

Taiwan-based Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation with relief aid in more than 100 countries has offered Covid-19 relief in Vietnam’s northern province of Bac Giang, an epicenter in the fresh outbreak.

Tzu Chi Foundation offers Covid-19 relief to Bac Giang Red Cross Society. Photos: Tzu Chi

On June 22, a group of 22 volunteers of the Taiwanese international humanitarian and non-governmental organization handed over goods worth VND885 million (US$38,470) to the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) – Bac Giang.

The handing over of N95 masks, medical gowns, hand sanitizer, instant noodles, and the seasoning was hosted by Bac Giang Group Media (BGG).

A volunteer of the Tzu Chi Foundation said the situation in Bac Giang has prompted their support with an aim to share the burden of frontline workers and affected people. They wish their sharing would partly contribute to bringing the pandemic in the locality under control.

Chairwoman of VRCS Bac Giang Le Thi Duyen said the donation is of significance at the time when the number of Covid-19 patients remains high, requiring the engagement of all stakeholders.

Tzu Chi volunteers in their uniforms of blue and white.

Meanwhile, BGG’s Chairman Nguyen Minh Phuong said he himself is seeking donations for Bac Giang as the frontline forces, especially health workers, have been dedicated to the fight against Covid-19 in the province that has lasted for more than a month.

BGG expects to draw more donations through the event and foreign direct investment (FDI) into Bac Giang in the future as the locality is home to hundreds of big foreign-invested enterprises like Luxshare and Foxconn (Apple’s major assemblers).

Bac Giang currently tops localities for the number of infections with 5,500, accounting for half of the country’s total cases detected in the ongoing outbreak.

Established in 1966, Tzu Chi Foundation has licensed to work in Vietnam since 2003, covering natural disaster relief, donation and Tet gifts to the poor, and scholarship to poor children.

Its latest Covid-19 relief was given to affected areas like Binh Phuoc on June 18 and Hai Duong on May 15-18.

In 1993, Tzu Chi’s founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1991 she received the Ramon Magsaysay Award, given to honor the late Philippine president and considered the “Asian Nobel Peace Prize” for community leadership.

Tzu Chi volunteers hand over goods in Ve pagoda in Bac Giang City.