Co.op Food is not only providing free meals, bread, water and clothing to residents of HCM City apartment Carina Plaza following the deadly fire last week, but is also collecting donations to support them.

Co.op Food has set up two support groups, one at its store in Carina to provide the relief materials and collect goods from donors and the other at Citigate building just opposite to provide assistance to some Carina residents temporarily moved here.

Nguyen Bich Ly, director of Co.op Food, said soon after the tragedy – in which 13 people died – her supermarket also donated other necessities like toothpaste, tooth brush, shampoo and other sanitary items and provided large bags and assistance to the victims to clean up their houses.

It has so far donated 1,200 meals from Co.opmart Ly Thuong Kiet and Co.opmart Phu Lam, over 2,400 bottles of mineral water, and 150 sets of clothes and slippers to victims, firefighters and volunteers.

Other companies like Pham Nguyen, Dong Xanh, Diligo, and Unilever have also offered support.

Co.op Food plans to continue with its assistance until victims are fully rehabilitated.

The fire, which engulfed Carina Plaza in District 8 at around 1.30am on March 23, also caused injuries to 50 people. — VNS