HANOI, Vietnam, April, 29 2020 – U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink accepted a donation of 420,000 medical masks on behalf of the American Red Cross. This includes 120,000 masks donated by the Vietnam Red Cross, and 300,000 masks donated by the Vietnam-U.S. Alumni Club (VUSAC)-Hanoi.
In mid-April, VUSAC Hanoi sent out a call to its members for donations to buy face masks as gifts to the American people. In a matter of weeks, VUSAC members and non-members raised 1.260 billion VND from more than 900 individuals and organizations throughout Vietnam and from overseas.
In accepting the donations from Associate Professor Nguyễn Thị Xuân Thu, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, Ambassador Kritenbrink said, “I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Vietnam Red Cross Society and the hundreds of individuals and organizations who contributed to this donation through VUSAC Hanoi. I have always believed that people-to-people relations are the most solid foundation for close and lasting ties between nations. I am so honored to be witnessing this outpouring of love and support.”
In presenting the gift of masks from the Vietnam-U.S. alumni community, VUSAC Hanoi President, Ms. Nguyễn Thu Hà, said: “300,000 masks is a very small number compared to what is needed in the U.S. But we are proud to say that there is so much love behind every one of those masks. It’s also a small token of more than 900 individuals and organizations in our community of alumni and friends, to contribute to the 25th anniversary of the U.S-Vietnam relations this year.”
Organized in 2014, VUSAC is an official and independent body representing Vietnamese who have studied in the U.S., both on U.S. government-sponsored programs and independently. VUSAC, which is officially registered as part of the Vietnam-USA Society, works to build a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam, and make positive contributions to U.S.-Vietnam relations.
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