PRESS RELEASE
ASSISTANCE OF USD 50,000
BY THE GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA TO THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
The Embassy of Malaysia in Hanoi on behalf of the Government of Malaysia handed over humanitarian assistance of USD 50,000 for the flood victims of Central Vietnam to the Central Relief Board, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front representing the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It was handed over by Her Excellency Dato' Lim Kim Eng, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to His Excellency Mr. Vu Trong Kim, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Fatherland Front.
2. The Malaysian government hopes its assistance would contribute towards the Vietnamese government's efforts to rehabilitate the areas in the provinces of Central Vietnam badly affected by the destructive floods in October and November 2010 so as to ease the hardship and burden of the people living there.
3. The Malaysian Government's decision to make the contribution was taken in the context of the close friendship ties and bilateral relations between Malaysia and Vietnam as well as in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity. It also underlines the caring attitude and sensitivity of the leadership of the Government and people of Malaysia towards the plight of the people suffered as a result of natural calamities. It is also in line with the usual practice of the Government of Malaysia, supported by the people of Malaysia, to extend humanitarian assistance to ease the sufferings of people caused by natural disasters around the world either directly or through various Malaysian non-governmental relief organizations such as MERCY.
4. Today's contribution is the second time by Malaysia to assist last year’s flood victims of Central Vietnam. The Embassy in collaboration with the Malaysian community in Vietnam raised funds for charity to mark the 1000th Thang Long - Hanoi anniversary celebrations in October 2010. In this respect, a contribution of 100 million Vietnamese Dong (VND) was extended to the Hanoi Fatherland Front in November 2010 to assist the flood victims. In addition, a contribution of 100 million VND was also handed over to the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organization (HAUFO) to help the poor in Hanoi while another 158 million VND was given to Operation Smile Vietnam to fund treatment for 40 children with cleft lips/cleft palate. Through such efforts, the Embassy hopes to enhance people-to-people relations and understanding between Malaysia and Vietnam.
Meeting between H.E. Dato’ Lim Kim Eng, Ambassador of Malaysia to Vietnam and H.E. Vu Trong Kim, Vice Chairman cum Secretary General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) regarding humanitarian assistance of USD 50,000 for flood victims in Central Vietnam from the Government of Malaysia to the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Handing over a mock cheque of USD 50,000 by H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Lim Kim Eng to H.E. Vu Trong Kim, Vice Chairman cum Secretary General of VFF
Others present (From L to R): Mr. Kennedy Mayong (Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Malaysia in Hanoi), Mdm. Ha Thi Lien (Vice Chairperson of VFF) and AmbassadorTran Hai Hau, Director General, South East Asia-South Asia-South Pacific Department of Foreign Ministry of Vietnam
H.E. Dato’ Lim Kim Eng, Ambassador of Malaysia to Vietnam presenting a souvenir to H.E. Vu Trong Kim, Vice Chairman cum Secretary General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF)
The ceremony was also witnessed by the presence of Mdm. Ha Thie Lien, Vice Chairperson of VFF, Ambassador Tran Hai Hau, Director General, South East Asia-South Asia-South Pacific Department of MOFA and local media representatives