State supports Red Cross activities, Vice President

Hanoi (VNA) - Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan has affirmed that the State always creates the most favourable conditions and the best legal framework for all humanitarian activities.

At a donors' conference held by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) in
Hanoi on August 28, Vice President Doan added that the National Assembly's
approval of the Law on Red Cross Activities will facilitate the link between
the VRC and international humanitarian and charitable organisations.

She hoped that the society would receive continued assistance from these
organisations as well as domestic and foreign businesses.

Chief country representative for the International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies (IRFC) Irja Sandberg confirmed that the IRFC will
stand side by side with the VRC in conducting humanitarian activities.

Representative of the Australian Red Cross David Brown expressed his
impression about the society's activities after a fact-finding tour to
northern Hai Phong port city on August 27.

The mangrove forest project is a real evidence for the efficiency of the
VRC's activities, Brown said, saying that the project not only created jobs
for people in coastal provinces but also helped them cope with floods and
natural disasters in an efficient way.

According to Brown, the Australian Red Cross has helped the VRC build 17
first-aid stations along the highways and compile community-based first-aid
documents.

At the conference, the VRC called for aid to 28 humanitarian projects from
now until 2015.

The VRC said that since 2002 it has received 642 billion VND (40 million
USD) for 80 humanitarian projects focusing on dealing with disasters,
providing healthcare, social relief and expanding the network of Red Cross
members.-Enditem