Relief aid to flood victims going on-Gov’t makes huge decision

Hanoi (VNA)- The Prime Minister on August 15 decided to allocate almost 221 billion VND from the State hedge budget to help flood-hit provinces, mostly in northern mountains.

The aid will be used to compensate the bereaved families, provide supplies, help repair dwelling houses, schools and medical stations and restore infrastructure.

Of the amount, 950 million VND will go to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to pay for the supply of rice, noodle and mineral water for Lao Cai province.

The Prime Minister also decided on free supply of 800 tonnes of rice taken from the national reserves to the three hardest-hit provinces.

Also on the day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan launched a fund-raising campaign for flood victims on the threshold of the new school year, scheduled for early September.

The campaign raised 173.6 million VND from the ministry’s staff right on the first day.

Tropical storm Kammuri has reportedly killed 19 school students and damaged a large number of schools and teachers’ homes.

The Vietnamese embassy in China joined hands with people at home in alleviating the plight of flood victims by launching a fundraiser on August 15. The campaign received 35,800 Yuan and 2,386 USD in aid from Vietnamese press and business circles as well as overseas Vietnamese.

Donations continue nationwide with Bac Lieu province in the south having sent 300 million VND and the central province of Nghe An 250 million VND in aid to flood victims.–