People affected by COVID-19 in HCM City receive help

Hanoi has distributed 6.1 million USD of its 6.6 million USD package to affected workers and businesses. The city has provided emergency relief and arranged accommodations for disadvantaged workers from other cities and provinces. Nguyen Quang Hong, Head of the Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Section in Cau Giay district, said the aid should be broadened to include other social beneficiaries, and poor and near-poor people.

Hong said, 'We have worked with social organizations to give disadvantaged people rice and cash worth 175,000 USD. Because the pandemic is spreading and affecting many groups of people, we need to work out a new plan, mobilize more funding, and expand our support to include more beneficiaries.'

HCM City intends to help 344,000 self-employed workers and 1,200 laid-off workers who are not eligible for unemployment insurance. Disadvantaged people, and poor and near-poor people, whether permanent residents or temporary residents, are receiving assistance to pay for rent, food, and other necessities in August and September. Businesses that have had to suspend their operation due to the pandemic will also receive help.

Tran Thi Kim Thanh of the municipal Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs said, 'We need to provide emergency assistance to people through policies and social resources. A new center for collecting and distributing emergency support will serve as a primary support channel during the pandemic and post-pandemic crisis. We have a hotline at 1022 to handle people’s requests.'