Together with the Women’s Charity Association of HCM City, Bayer has provided relief packages in the form of nutritional, educational and livelihood support to selected communities that have been severely affected by COVID-19, especially seniors without family, disadvantaged women and children.

It was done as part of the Strengthen Resilience of Vulnerable People in Viet Nam during COVID-19 programme implemented by WOCA, and Bayer donated VND896 million to it.

The programme will be rolled out across HCM City and Long An and Hau Giang provinces from now until July 2022 to support disadvantaged families that have been badly affected by COVID.

To start the year on a bright note, Bayer and WOCA organised the first event under the programme on January 7, distributing relief packages at Nha Be and Can Gio districts in HCM City.

More distribution events will take place in Districts 8, 12 and Hoc Mon this month.

The programme will continue to provide relief to needy and vulnerable people at various locations until mid-2022.

In its first phase, Bayer and WOCA will distribute some 700 relief packages containing necessities, essential medical devices and medicines and cash to help disadvantaged families regain their livelihoods.

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, head of human resources, Bayer Vietnam, said: “Over the past two years the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of painful losses around the world and Viet Nam is not an exception. Due to the pandemic, many people are unable to work while children are struggling to have access to education.

“Understanding the difficulties that the disadvantaged communities are facing, the programme Strengthen Resilience of Vulnerable People in Viet Nam during COVID-19 was implemented with the help of WOCA.

“It aims to help people overcome and cope with the pandemic.”

Bayer will also support children’s education by providing online learning tools such as tablets and virtual educational programmes. One such programme is the Science Switch, a virtual education platform where children can learn about science in a fun and engaging way from the safety of their homes.

The tablets will be donated to children in July 2022 for the new school year.

Speaking about the programme, Nguyen Thi Hue, WOCA president, said: “COVID-19 has been a source of great hardships for us all, with disproportionate effects on the more vulnerable.

“WOCA is grateful for the valuable donations from Bayer Vietnam to extend support to communities that are most affected by the pandemic. Through this joint programme, aside from providing relief packages, we also want to send a message of hope, sincerity and optimism to our communities.”

The Strengthen Resilience of Vulnerable People in Vietnam during COVID-19 programme has also attracted the voluntary participation of many Bayer employees.

Braving the threat of COVID, the volunteers participated in distributing the relief packages and showing love and care for disadvantaged families, seniors and children.

Ha said: “This programme is part of Bayer’s societal engagement activities focused on health and social needs. In Viet Nam, these activities have been implemented for many years now with the help from NGOs and charity organizations.

Over the past few years WOCA has been a great partner in accompanying Bayer on this journey to support the communities. We are grateful for the support from WOCA and together, we hope to continue doing good deeds and giving back to society.”

Lunar New Year is around the corner. With this programme, Bayer and WOCA hope to bring happiness to families and inspire them to have more faith in the kindness of their community.

In line with Bayer’s vision of ‘Health for all, Hunger for none,’ the programme demonstrates the company’s commitment in Viet Nam as a socially responsible enterprise. VNS