The cooperation among Three National Societies: Vietnam – Lao – Cambodia to be strengthened

Within the framework of the bilateral cooperation agreement between Vietnam Red Cross and Lao Red Cross; and tripartite agreement between the three National Societies of Vietnam, Lao and Cambodia, the Delegation of Vietnam Red Cross led by the Vice President Tran Quoc Hung visited Laos and Cambodia from 14-20 May 2018 aiming at reviewing the cooperation among partners, sharing working experiences and typical models of each National Society.

Meeting with Lao Red Cross National Headquarters

Meeting with Cambodian Red Cross National Headquarters

Vietnam Red Cross’ Delegation visits to some typical activity models of the two Sister National Societies.

Visit to the National Blood Transfusion Centre of Lao Red Cross National Headquarters

The National Blood Transfusion Centre has been operated by Lao Red Cross National Headquarters. In 1995, it received 5,000 blood units; in 2010 it received more than 25,000 blood units; in 2017 it received 45,735 blood units (exceeding the year target of 44,000 blood unit). For the Centre ‘s strategy to 2020, it aims to mobilize 60,000 blood units/year.

National Blood Transfusion Centre of Lao Red Cross National Headquarters

According to the current laws and regulations in Laos, the National Blood Transfusion Centre are eligible to collect fees which will be used to cover costs relating to blood services. Different types of fees have been applied to different groups of people. For instance, a person who is not a blood donor will be charged two times higher than those as voluntary blood donors.

Meeting with Vientiane Red Cross Branch – Lao Red Cross Society

Visit to the Provincial Blood Center of Vientiane Red Cross Branch

Meeting with Cambodian Red Cross’ Phnom Penh Branch and the Management Board of Oral’s Quality Drinking Water of Red Cross’ Phnom Penh Branch

Oral’s Quality Drinking Water was established in 2006 on the initiative of Madam Bun Rany Hunsen, the President of Cambodian Red Cross National Headquarters with total investment of 1 million USD; 25% of which was contributed by Phnom Penh Red Cross Branch while the remaining 75% of the investment was contributed by 03 bussiness members of the Executive Board of Phnom Penh Red Cross Branch.

Inside the factory

As shared by Oral’s Quality Drink Water, its vision has been consistently to be the only market leader humbly serving Cambodian’s needs for quality and safety drinking water, while supporting humanitarian and social activities through Cambodian Red Cross’ Phnom Penh Branch. Hence, 70% of net profit will be sent to Cambodian Red Cross’ Phnom Penh Branch for humanitarian activities. The average net profit was about 25,000 USD – 50,000 USD per month. Since 2007, Cambodian Red Cross’ Phnom Penh Branch has made 4 million USD profit (400,000 USD per yearon the average) for the humanitarian activities.

Meeting with Cambodian Red Cross’ Sieam Reap Branch

On this occasion, the Delegation of Vietnam Red Cross visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and in Camboda; met Vietnamese oversea communites in the country.

Meeting with the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos

It was reported that about 100,000 Vietnamese people have been living and working in Laos; in which 3,000 – 4,000 people were granted Lao Nationality; 1,000 – 2,000 people were granted residental permits in Laos; more than 40,000 people have been working in the country. In general, Lao Government has been facilitating for overseas Vietnamese living and working in the country.

Meeting with Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia

The economic and living conditions of Vietnamese-Cambodian communities have been in difficulties; especially the legal status barrier. The unstable political regime of the country partly had impact on their life. The total of Vietnamese – Cambodian communities in the country was about 170,000 – 200,000 people; mainly living in Phnom Penh and 05 provices bordering with Tonlé Sap Lake.

Meeting with Association of Vietnamese oversea communites in Laos

On this occasion, Vietnam Red Cross showed the gesture of solidarity with the Lao Red Cross Society and the Cambodian Red Cross by contributing VND 20million for thehumanitarian activities in Laos and VND50million cash grants for 26 Khmer – Vietnamese disadvantaged households in Phnom-Penh andscholarships for Khmer-Vietnamese students in-needs in Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia.