“Red House” connecting compassion

On November 27, the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society received more than 100 tonnes of relief goods, including food, clothing, and other necessities, donated by people from all walks of life to support communities affected by natural disasters. Due to its limited manpower to handle the unloading, sorting, and packing of the donated goods, the Provincial Red Cross Society issued an appeal on social media calling for public assistance. Shortly afterwards, many volunteers arrived to lend a hand, enabling the timely delivery of relief supplies on "trucks of compassion" travelling from Dong Nai to natural disaster-hit areas.

The Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society receives donations from local residents to help communities overcome the consequences of the floods. Photo: Van Truyen

This response highlights the role and credibility of the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society — known as the “Red House” of Dong Nai — in connecting the community to carry out social welfare activities, with the aim of spreading compassion to those in difficult circumstances.

Strengthening bonds and spreading compassion

In 2025, the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society continued to effectively implement its key tasks, including mobilising officials, members, volunteers, and the public to participate in humanitarian assistance, community-based healthcare and voluntary blood donation.

Specifically, in 2025, Dong Nai Province collected more than 51,000 units of voluntary blood donations. In addition to the large number of participants, the voluntary blood donation movement in Dong Nai recorded several notable achievements. The rate of repeat donors — those who continue donating after their first time — reached 85 percent, placing the province among the leading localities nationwide.

Voluntary blood donation drives were organised in coordination with religious establishments. Religious dignitaries and practitioners not only donated blood themselves but also encouraged followers to donate, while organising light meals and gifts to motivate donors. Alongside mobile blood donation campaigns, a fixed voluntary blood donation reception point was established at Dong Nai General Hospital, allowing residents to donate blood at any time.

The province currently has more than 120,200 members of Red Cross Societies at all levels. In 2025, the total value of humanitarian assistance, disaster prevention and response, and public healthcare activities carried out by the entire provincial Red Cross Society system exceeded 197.2 billion VND.

Nguyen Thanh Phong, a resident of Xuan Dinh Commune, recently completed his 50th voluntary blood donation. He shared that he donates blood three to four times each year, expressing his wish to maintain good health so he can continue participating in blood donation drives whenever the provincial Red Cross Society organizes them.

Regarding the mobilisation of resources for humanitarian assistance, the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society implemented activities worth more than 123 billion VND in 2025. During the implementation of humanitarian models, the Society flexibly adjusted its approaches to suit local conditions and meet beneficiaries' needs. For example, under the “Cow Bank” Project, households no longer able to raise cattle due to a lack of feed or grazing land may, depending on actual conditions, receive alternative livestock in line with their wishes.

At the same time, the provincial Red Cross Society connected resources to provide monthly assistance to more than 11,000 extremely disadvantaged households, with each family receiving at least 500,000 VND. In cases requiring additional support, Red Cross Societies at various levels also provide scholarships and medical treatment assistance. Through the “Compassionate Porridge and Rice” model, the provincial Red Cross Society distributes nearly 367,000 meals each year to support patients, their relatives, freelance workers and students facing hardship.

The Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society has also acted on behalf of local residents to extend humanitarian support nationwide. Since October 2025, the Society has mobilised and received more than 12.5 billion VND in donations of people from all walks of life to support communities affected by natural disasters, allocating resources to assist affected provinces in implementing social welfare programmes launched by the Vietnam Red Cross Society’s Central Committee.

Proactive implementation of humanitarian work

In the remaining period of 2025 and throughout 2026, the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society will continue to propose and implement effective solutions to strengthen humanitarian activities across the province.

Residents of Chon Thanh Ward take part in a voluntary blood donation drive. Photo: Thu Hien

According to Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh, Vice President of the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society, in preparation for the Lunar New Year 2026, the Society, together with provincial authorities, has been mobilising resources to ensure a warm Tet for local residents. In addition, the Society has promoted the application of technology in humanitarian work.

Specifically, through the Thien Nguyen application operated by the Society to support fundraising, management, and reporting on the use of voluntary donations, 75 disadvantaged cases have so far received assistance totalling approximately 339 million VND. Information on blood donation activities, as well as the receipt and distribution of donations, is publicly disclosed on official platforms, enabling public oversight and reinforcing trust among residents.

Furthermore, Red Cross Societies at all levels in the province have focused on disseminating disaster prevention and response knowledge and skills to 1,800 members of 146 disaster response teams and 60 Red Cross first-aid stations. In the event of accidents or injuries in residential areas, these teams serve as the fastest-response force, providing first aid and arranging ambulance transport to hospitals.

The Red Cross Societies have also intensified efforts to mobilise voluntary blood donation and to register posthumous donation of tissues, organs, and body parts for medical purposes.

According to Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh, in 2025, Red Cross Societies across the province mobilised 95 individuals to register voluntarily for tissue and organ donation after death. In addition to mobilisation efforts, the societies place strong emphasis on honouring these individuals through formal ceremonies to present donor cards and offer encouragement gifts.

Given local characteristics, including communities living near hydropower reservoirs, riverbanks, and border areas, many of whom face difficult living conditions, Red Cross Societies at all levels will prioritise mobilising resources to support home repairs, provide solar energy equipment, and assist students in continuing their education.

At the same time, consolidating and strengthening the organisational structure of Red Cross Societies at all levels remains a decisive factor in fulfilling assigned tasks. Following the merger of administrative boundaries and the two-tiered local government apparatus, Red Cross Societies at the commune, ward, agency, unit, and school levels are gradually being recognized, with provisional executive committees, and need to be quickly reorganized to stabilize the structure. This is essential to ensure that all humanitarian activities proceed smoothly.

By Hoang Nhung, Van Truyen – Translated by My Le, Thu Ha