Vietnam Red Cross transforms aid with sustainable livelihoods in 2026 campaign
The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) has launched Humanitarian Month 2026 under the theme ‘80 years – A journey of compassion for the community’. The campaign introduces a new approach to poverty relief, moving away from short-term aid towards sustainable livelihood support. A key feature is the ‘Compassionate Community – Connecting Love’ pilot, set to roll out in three provinces: Nghệ An, Tuyên Quang, and An Giang. The ‘Compassionate Community – Connecting Love’ model will target every poor household and disadvantaged student in Lưu Phong Village, Tương Dương Commune. Each family will receive livelihood assistance, while students gain access to scholarships. The VRCS plans to increase financial support from VNĐ5 million to VNĐ12 million per household, funding viable production models instead of one-off handouts.
To strengthen long-term impact, the VRCS is partnering with cooperative alliances. Beneficiaries will join production groups and cooperatives, helping them build self-sufficiency. This initiative is also the first phase of the broader *‘Safe Communities – Disaster Preparedness’* programme, scheduled for 2026–2031. Nationwide, the campaign aims to assist over 17,000 poor and disadvantaged households. The VRCS has set a fundraising target of VNĐ500 billion for relief activities during Humanitarian Month. Nghệ An’s provincial chapter alone plans to raise VNĐ8 billion (around $307,000) in May for local humanitarian efforts.
The shift towards sustainable livelihood packages marks a change in how the VRCS supports vulnerable communities. By increasing funding and fostering cooperative partnerships, the programme intends to reduce aid dependency. The pilot’s success in Nghệ An, Tuyên Quang, and An Giang will shape future disaster preparedness efforts across Vietnam.
