Viet Nam Post Corporation (VN Post) has launched a programme to give 820 tonnes of rice to eight southern provinces, helping around 233,000 COVID-19-affected people.

The free rice will be presented to households in difficulties, lonely elderly people, students, freelancers and workers who lost their jobs in localities severely affected by the pandemic.

The programme has been implemented in eight localities including HCM City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Long An, Tien Giang, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Ben Tre.

Chu Quang Hao, VN Post’s General Director said: “This is not only a meaningful and human job according to the tradition of 'good leaves cover torn leaves' but also a responsibility of the national postal enterprise to the country.”

At rice distribution points, including rice ATMs or direct distribution desks at post offices, they organise separate ways for each person entering and receiving rice to avoid contact as much as possible.

Service staff at the point and people who come to collect rice have their body temperatures checked, take disinfectant measures and are distanced according to regulations.

VN Post has also donated rice and cash to a number of humanitarian and charity centres in some other localities, which are being heavily affected by the pandemic.

Hao said that such activities would be continued to help people stabilise their lives, and were not just for the the pandemic. — VNS