An Binh Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ABBANK) will plant 10,000 mangrove and casuarina trees in Phu Tan Commune, Tan Phu Dong District, Tien Giang Province as part of its Tet An Binh 2023 charity programme that will begin on January 7.

With a long coastline, Tan Phu Dong District has great potential for marine economic development, especially fishing and aquaculture. However, landslides and abnormal weather developments have caused the decline of aquatic resources, directly affecting the lives and economic development of the people here.

Planting 10,000 trees is expected to contribute to minimise the effects caused by natural disasters and land encroachment, while enriching the coastal flora and contributing to stabilise the main source of livelihood for local residents.

Under the programme, scholarships worth VND2 million (US$84.4) each will also be awarded to 25 students in extremely difficult circumstances in Phu Tan and Tan Thoi communes. In addition, more than 5km of water pipeline will be built to bring tap water to 124 households in the two communes.

Nguyen Thi Huong, deputy CEO of ABBANK, said: “By gradually increasing the forest coverage in localities across the country, we want to join hands in connecting society to raise awareness of forest protection, environmental protection, adaptation to climate change, and prevention and combating natural disasters, thereby promoting socio-economic development.”

Initiated in 2010, the annual Tet An Binh, with its initial target to bring a warm and happy Lunar New Year (Tet) to disadvantaged people across the country, has expanded to also include activities towards protecting the environment and the livelihoods of local people.

Under Tet An Binh 2022, the bank, in collaboration with the Natural Resources and Environment Communication Centre under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, gave away 25,000 trees to 23 households and the Government of Duong Quy Commune, Van Ban District, Lao Cai Province and 20 scholarships worth VND1 million each to students in the commune.

ABBANK, meanwhile, also awarded 30 scholarships worth a total of VND450 million ($19,000) to children who lost their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic in HCM City. — VNS