Free health checks-up and medicines were provided to700 needy people in Ha Trung’s Ha Binh commune (Photo: VNA) Thanh Hoa (VNA) – The central province of Thanh Hoa launched a Humanitarian Month on May 7 with many activities designed to support vulnerable groups on the occasion of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (May 8). At the launching ceremony held in Ha Trung district, organisations and individuals donated nearly 16 billion VND (687,000 USD) to fund activities during the month. Addressing the ceremony, Chairwoman of the provincial Red Cross Society Trinh Thi Tiep highlighted the importance and meaning of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, which extends a helping hand to vulnerable people in the community. The society called on all people in the province to donate to help those in need and reported that it gave support to more than 352,000 persons last year at total funding of more than 75 billion VND through such models as charity fairs, … [Read more...] about Thanh Hoa launches activities to support vulnerable groups
Vulnerable persons check
Social News 23/8
Contest to help raise public awareness of resilience Director of AFD Fabrice Richy speaks at the press conference (Source: sggp.org.vn) A contest for making infographic and video clips, and translating the “Resilience” term into Vietnamese was launched at a press conference held by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee and the French Development Agency (AFD) in Hanoi on August 22. As part of the activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-France diplomatic ties, the competition aims to raise Vietnamese youths’ awareness of the impact of environmental and social changes in Vietnam, thus calling for the community’s joint effort in overcoming the environmental consequences and promoting sustainable development. The contest is available for individuals or teams with a maximum of five persons who have the Vietnamese nationality and are under 35 years old. Entries should be submitted to the organising board … [Read more...] about Social News 23/8
Social News 23/6
Regional workshop on human trafficking prevention Participants take photo at the workshop (Photo: VOV) A regional workshop on prevention strategies to combat trafficking in persons, especially for women and children, and enhance access to information and community-based protection system was held in Hanoi on June 21-22. The event was jointly held by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), ASEAN National Secretariat of Vietnam, ASEAN-US Partnership for Good Governance, Equitable and Sustainable Development and Security (PROGRESS), and the governments of Australia and Turkey. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau reiterated the determination of the Vietnamese government to continue implementing effectively policies and measures to prevent human trafficking. He called for stronger regional and international cooperation and mobilisation of financial resources to promote efforts in the field. Participants … [Read more...] about Social News 23/6
Businesses advised to use legal software to reduce cyberattacks
The BSA | The Software Alliance—the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace—has launched its 2018 Global Software Survey: Software Management: Security Imperative, Business Opportunity across the globe today morning. The survey found that 74 per cent percent of software installed on computers in Vietnam was not properly licensed—meaning that Vietnam is the fifth largest nation of piracy in the Asia-Pacific region. This represents a 4-point decrease compared with BSA’s prior study released in 2016. In BSA’s biannual studies in 2013 and 2011, the piracy rates of Vietnam were far higher, at 81 per cent. Unlicensed and outdated software are a key vulnerability exploited by cyberattacks (Source: score.org) According to BSA, this 74 per cent rate of use in 2017 has been influenced in part by important trends under way in Vietnam. While consumer shipments of personal computers (PCs) … [Read more...] about Businesses advised to use legal software to reduce cyberattacks
Thousands of people to benefit from “Humanitarian Month”
Can Tho city Red Cross and the city Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union hold a program on providing free medical check-ups for 500 poor people. (Photo: VNA)The activities will contribute to raise people’s awareness and responsibilities in humanitarian work, thus assisting disadvantaged and vulnerable people, helping realize social welfare policies, and educate communities on humanitarianism. The month, which will be in pilot implementation in some provinces and cities, covers support of production loans, cows, housing, construction, blood donation, free medical check-ups, and practice on calamity prevention and response. After the pilot implementation, the activities will be expanded nationwide. Between May 8th-19th, major activities are expected to assist some 50,000-70,000 disadvantaged persons. As a guideline of the Party Central Committee Secretariat, the month looks to celebrate the 128th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19th), and World Red Cross and Red … [Read more...] about Thousands of people to benefit from “Humanitarian Month”
Social News 4/4 (Hourly Updated)
New hospital building delayed due to slow compensation for residents A design of the new facility for HCM City Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedics. Source http://www.medinet.hochiminhcity.gov.vn Slow compensation for residents affected by the construction project has delayed construction on a new facility for HCM City Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedics for six years. The project to build the new facility was approved by the Prime Minister in 2010. In 2011, investors designed to build a 5,000-square metre facility, which was later expanded to more than 7,000 square metres. HCM City People’s Committee has instructed the authorities of Bình Chánh District, where the new facility will be located, and investors to speed up the construction many times, but the project still has not yet been started. In 2016, for instance, the committee required that the project begin in December of that year and would be expected to be completed this year. According to the … [Read more...] about Social News 4/4 (Hourly Updated)
UK Govt reviews Oxfam work amid Haiti prostitutes scandal
The British Government announced late Friday it was reviewing all work with Oxfam amid revelations the charity's staff hired prostitutes in Haiti during a 2011 relief effort on the earthquake-hit island. Oxfam faces allegations that its staff hired prostitutes The Department for International Development (DFID) said the UK-based charity's leaders had "showed a lack of judgement" in investigating the matter and in its openness with the government and Britain's Charity Commission regulator. "The International Development Secretary is reviewing our current work with Oxfam and has requested a meeting with the senior team at the earliest opportunity," a DFID spokeswoman said. "The way this appalling abuse of vulnerable people was dealt with raises serious questions that Oxfam must answer." The move follows growing pressure on the charity after an investigation by The Times found young sex workers were hired by senior staff in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake which devastated the … [Read more...] about UK Govt reviews Oxfam work amid Haiti prostitutes scandal
Social News 10/2
Hoi An authorities seek solution to noisy bars, dinersAuthorities in Hoi An, an iconic tourist town in central Vietnam, are seeking solutions for dealing with loud music from local bars in an effort to restore a peaceful atmosphere to the vintage destination.Located in the namesake city in Quang Nam Province, Hoi An Ancient Town was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and has long been famous for its tranquility and unique charm.Recent complaints by tourists, however, have local authorities worry that the destination may lose its tranquil charm due to loud music from local bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.The Hoi An People’s Committee announced on February 7 that it will invite local bar and hotel owners to reach a common ground on ensuring that business operations at certain venues do not compromise the interests of local residents and visitors.The meeting will be chaired by Nguyen Van Son, vice-chairman of the city’s administration and the man … [Read more...] about Social News 10/2
Expert warns of personal info vulnerability
Expert warns of personal info vulnerabilityHong Phuc By Hong Phuc – The Saigon Times Daily HCMC - Nguyen Dang Hung, deputy general director of Smartlink Card Services Joint Stock Co., has urged people to exercise greater caution in online transactions though the Heartbleed bug has yet to hit the security systems of commercial banks as confirmed by the central bank. Smartlink acts as an intermediary to connect a majority of banks and e-commerce firms to its electronic payment system. No matter how safe the banking system is, customers should be cautious and keep their personal data confidential in transactions over the Internet, Hung said. He recommended people transact with known e-commerce websites because the operators of those sites have a strong sense of responsibility for protecting their customers’ data. The sites having SSL certification by such international organizations as GlobalSign and Verigsign can be trusted, so can Trustvn sites. Trustvn certification is … [Read more...] about Expert warns of personal info vulnerability
Clean-up success at lead recycling village
Khánh Dương HƯNG YÊN — After a hard day’s work, labourers in the lead recycling industrial area of Chỉ Đạo Commune in northern Hưng Yên Province are required to leave their contaminated clothes at work, bathe and then change into clean clothes in a changing room before going home. The hygiene helps eliminate lead contamination that may affect other people. The separate industrial zone was created by moving all lead recycling households out of Đông Mai Village by the end of 2015. Lead was recycled in the residential area of Đông Mai Village for more than 40 years. Residents were surrounded by piles of batteries that were broken up and smelted down for their lead content. Chemicals were directly discharged into the environment, absorbed into the soil and water sources and diffused into the air. A series of health check-ups by scientists showed the lead had serious impacts on human … [Read more...] about Clean-up success at lead recycling village