Hanoi (VNA)꧃ – The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) Central Committee announced plans to support 100,000 beneficiaries and raise 400 billion VND (16 billion USD) during the 2025 Humanitarian Month scheduled from May 8–19, at a press briefing in Hanoi on April 24.

VRCS Vice President and General Secretary Nguyen Hai Anh updated on the ongoing campaign running from November 23, 2024 to April 28, 2025 via the vRace online sports platform. As of April 18, 191,857 participants covered over 5.6 million kms, raising 5.62 billion VND for humanitarian efforts nationwide. Key activities will take place in Quang Tri, Dak Lak, and Dong Thap provinces from May 5–6, ahead of the national launch ceremony for the 2025 Humanitarian Month, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of southern liberation and national reunification (April 30) and the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19). Initiatives include visiting and gifting heroic Vietnamese mothers, martyrs’ families, veterans, and former youth volunteers in need; building Red Cross homes; supporting livelihoods for impoverished families; and upgrading school facilities. Clean water systems, book cabinets, and humanitarian markets will benefit nearly 1,500 households, while over 2,900 disadvantaged individuals will receive free medical consultations, checkups, and medication. The Humanitarian Month launch on May 8 in Ho Chi Minh City will feature incense offerings at relic sites, floral tribute at the Ho Chi Minh Statue, and community aid activities such as blood donation, scholarship distribution, free medical checkups and medicine supply. A photo exhibition will highlight VRCS chapters’ achievements, complemented by media displays and public health consultations. In 2024, the VRCS raised over 763 billion VND during the Humanitarian Month, assisting more than 1.6 million people in need nationwide./.