What You Need to Know About Supporting Flood Relief in Northern Vietnam

Typhoon No. 3 has wreaked havoc on the health and lives of people, particularly in Northern provinces of Vietnam. The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi has only intensified the damage, bringing floods and landslides that have caused even greater loss of life and property. In response, people across the country are rallying to support the affected regions.

However, it's crucial to donate correctly to ensure your contributions are effective and avoid unnecessary errors. So, how can you support flood victims in the most effective way? This article provides guidance on how to contribute properly, steer clear of scams, and ensure your aid reaches those in need. Read on to learn how to avoid risks and help effectively.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Donating or Organizing Relief Efforts:

If you’re eager to help flood and landslide victims, it’s important to understand that this is not a simple task—it requires careful preparation, expertise, and experience. Without proper precautions, your efforts could have unintended consequences, increasing pressure on rescue teams or even posing risks to yourself.

Let’s explore the basic mistakes to avoid when donating, contributing, or organizing rescue efforts to ensure your aid has the best possible impact.

1. Avoid Spontaneous Rescue Efforts:

Without expertise, you may end up needing rescue yourself. Distinguish between Rescue, an urgent activity carried out by authorities, and Relief, which involves providing food and medical aid after the floods have subsided. Do not attempt to replace professional rescue teams, as this could create additional risks and complications.

2. Don’t Call Rescue Hotlines Unnecessarily:

Avoid calling to check on relatives, as this can drain phone batteries and congest networks, impeding critical rescue calls. Do not share rescue officials' phone numbers. Instead, send information through local volunteer groups for effective processing.

3. Avoid Sharing Rescue Calls on Social Media:

Sharing these calls can duplicate information and complicate coordination. Instead, comment on the call for help with additional details like specific locations or nearby contacts to assist verification.

4. Don’t Ask Victims for GPS Coordinates:

This approach is ineffective. Rescue teams operate by region rather than specific GPS points.

5. Don’t Organize Relief Without Local Authority Confirmation:

Providing food, medicine, and clothing without verifying actual needs can overwhelm local authorities. They might face difficulties managing and distributing inappropriate or surplus items, slowing down recovery and adding to the relief burden.

6. Avoid Donating to Unverified Individuals or Organizations:

Refrain from giving money or items to individuals or organizations lacking credibility to avoid fraud. Instead, donate directly to the Vietnam Fatherland Front or officially recognized rescue organizations to ensure your support reaches those in need.

Donation Methods for Flood Victims:

Here is essential information for safely and effectively donating to flood victims:

1. Donate via Bank Transfer to the State Treasury:

Account Name: Ủy ban Trung ương Mặt trận Tổ quốc Việt Nam

Account Number: 3713.0.1058784.00000

Budget Unit Code: 1058784

At State Treasury Transaction Office

2. Donate via Bank Transfer to the Vietnam Fatherland Front - Central Relief Committee:

Vietnam Currency Account

Account Name: Mặt trận Tổ quốc Việt Nam - Ban Cứu trợ Trung ương

Account Number: 001.1.00.1932418

At Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank)

Foreign Currency Account

Account Name: Mặt trận Tổ quốc Việt Nam - Ban Cứu trợ Trung ương

Account Number: 001.1.37.193253.8

Swift Code: BFTVVVNX001.

At Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank)

3. Donate Directly in Cash to the Vietnam Fatherland Front:

Address: Planning - Finance Department, Office of the Central Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front, Rooms 109 and 111, Building B, 46 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

We hope this article provides you with the necessary information to support flood victims in the most effective and appropriate manner. Proper donations not only offer timely help but also avoid unnecessary mistakes and risks. With collective effort and support, may those affected by the floods overcome their difficulties, restore their lives, and recover from the disaster.