On the morning of August 7, in Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien province, the Vietnam Food Bank coordinated with the Dien Bien Provincial Red Cross Society to launch a food bank in Dien Bien.

This event marks the operation of the 15th member of the Vietnam Food Bank network nationwide; contributing to reducing food loss and waste in agricultural development, aiming to reduce hunger, improve nutrition for the disadvantaged, especially ethnic minorities in Dien Bien province and areas directly affected by natural disasters.

Mr. Lo Van Duc, Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial Red Cross Society, said: The launch and operation of the food bank in Dien Bien will contribute to sharing food with the motto: “Those with more, share it – Those in need, take it.” and spread the habit of preventing food waste in the community, joining hands to help people overcome difficulties in life.

In Dien Bien province, in recent times, the Provincial Red Cross Society has proactively carried out poverty reduction and social security work, through many activities, connecting many organizations and individuals inside and outside the province to carry out humanitarian and charitable work. In 2023 alone, the Red Cross Society at all levels in Dien Bien province called for and mobilized more than 20.9 billion VND, supporting 60,352 beneficiaries.

Ms. Nguyen Hoang Truc Linh, Executive Director of the Vietnam Food Bank, shared: “In the context that many families still have difficulty accessing quality, nutritious food sources, this food bank will contribute to ensuring adequate nutrition for many subjects, especially poor households, families with children and the elderly; households in the area that are directly affected by natural disasters and epidemics.

Established in 2016, Food Bank Vietnam is currently a member of the global Food Bank network with more than 50 member countries headquartered in the United States. According to statistics, from 2018 to early 2024, Food Bank Vietnam has reached and directly supported 8 million people, 46 provinces/cities, distributed 21 million kilogram of food, expanded 14 more food warehouses and community food clubs, supported people in need across 63 provinces/cities, attracted more than 1,000 volunteers nationwide, served 18 million meals to vulnerable groups, supported 625 community organizations… Of which, 56% of the supported people are children and 65% of the supported people are women and children. On the occasion of the launching of the food bank in Dien Bien, the units also presented 50 gifts to disadvantaged people, households in especially difficult circumstances, and policy families to encourage their spirit, share love, and motivate everyone to overcome difficulties and rise up in life.

Food Bank Vietnam.