PROJECT OVERVIEW:

This program raises funds to support the ICU treatment for seriously ill COVID-19 patients in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

At the time of writing, Ho Chi Minh City has been experiencing similar daily new COVID-19 cases as Tokyo (topping 10,000 daily new cases). However, the mortality rate in Vietnam is much worse than that of Tokyo; Ho Chi Minh City had 340 new deaths on August 22 whereas Tokyo had 9. This is mainly due to the stress on the city's healthcare system and shortage in medical supplies.

As a Vietnamese citizen living in Japan, I wish to raise funds to help save the lives of our people living back home. Especially Ho Chi Minh city, where the pandemic outbreak is most tragic and gruesome.

Living On The Frontline

My name is Vi and I’m from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I’m currently living in Tokyo. It has been an unprecedented period of time in our lives coping with this pandemic; I’ve witnessed via news and TV how this pandemic disturbed and changed the way we live. Millions of new cases everyday, people suffer from unemployment, financial to mental health. However, honestly, I feel like such a thing is so far away from my life. I am so small and insignificant to do anything to help anyway… until 3 weeks ago.

I have started getting bad news from my friends and acquaintances in Ho Chi Minh about the situation the new Delta variant has put the people of the city into.

As you may know, the new COVID-19 delta variant is 50% more contagious than the original one (1 : 3.5 - 4 compares to 1 : 2.5). And this new variant has spread rapidly since the end of July, 2021. More than 10,000 daily new cases are reported in both Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City. However, there are about 300 daily new deaths in Ho Chi Minh City on average everyday; this accumulates to the total of 11000 deaths over the past few months.

“Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are given the expectation that they may not be able to see their families again” - Said a frontline doctor.

In a documentary by VTV1 called “Ranh Gioi”, healthcare providers are expected to take photos of patients everyday for the family in case they don’t make it.

　 Data: From the Ministry of Health of Vietnam and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Coronavirus Infectious Disease Control Site

LIFE is NOT THE ONLY thing we lost!

 Life in Ho Chi Minh City is taken away; and something that seems normal like going grocery shopping or greeting your neighbors is now a luxury of life.

 Ho Chi Minh city has been put under full-lockdown since April; business other than essential industries are prohibited. Although this situation is necessary to fight the pandemic, it took a big toll on the economy and the life of those who work a daily wage to cover their living expenses.

Freelancers, homeless, unemployed people or physical workers are those who suffer the most as they have no choice but to rely upon the support from charity organizations and government.      

　Since August, the Vietnamese government has further strengthened the restriction due to the rising number of infected people. There are “red zone” areas in the city which are completely blocked due to the high risk of infection. Even in the “green zone” areas, people are only allowed to go out-side once a week for essential goods; violators are heavily fined. 

 Pictures: THANH NIEN NEWS

These “red zones” not only lock people in physically but also trap their mind mentally.

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Even one person life, if we can do something, let's do our best!

I am luckier to be living in a developed country, my job is protected by the government, my health is protected by a comprehensive vaccination program and a world-class healthcare system. I am thankful to the Japanese government. But at the same time it makes me feel unjust for what’s happening in my home country; it keeps me awake at night worrying for my family; it sheds tears on my eyes watching those documentaries.

Why do my people have to suffer while I’m safe? I can’t be so carefree, I can’t turn my back on my country anymore and I want to take my best action today.

At the end of July, we made the first and second calls in the Vietnamese community, collecting about 750,000 yen and purchasing a respirator, N95 mask, and protective helmet.

However, this is not enough.

NGUYEN TRI PHUONG Hospital has been asking for help because there are not enough ventilators, and the number of infected people continues to rise.

It may be greedy. Though, I want to save as many lives as possible!

For a day that human beings can overcome this tragic coronavirus situation, for a day that doctors, far-away home children can reunite and bring a normal life back, for no one has to breathe one’s last ALONE, please give us a hand!

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WHAT WE CAN DO NOW?

This project is a crowdfunding project collaborating with Play Learn and Grow (PL & G) *, which has many years of philanthropic experience in Vietnam.

The collected supporting money will be sent to PL & Ga and then,  PL & G will purchase ventilators directly from the hospital's ventilator supplier and finally donate it to NGUYEN TRI PHUONG Hospital.

■ NGUYEN TRI PHUONG Hospital

NGUYEN TRI PHUONG Hospital is a general hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, which was established in 1903. Currently, it is used as the Corona Intensive Care Unit, with more than 300 patients at Level 3 (the most suffered)

Data source: NGUYEN TRI PHUONG Hospital

 Here is the list of shortage equipments from the hospitals:

 ■ Medical supplies will be purchased with the supporting money (materials will be purchased after remittance of funds)

・ Ventilator (HFNC) x 2
・ TYVEK protective clothing

※* In case the target amount exceeds our expectations, we plan to purchase a respirator or TIREK protective clothing with the remaining supporting money.　　

■Using funds for the target amount (850,000 yen):

・ Total purchase cost of medical supplies: 770,500 yen
・ CAMFIRE usage fee (9%): 76,500 yen
・ Overseas remittance fee: 3,000 yen
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   Total required amount: 850,000 yen

* Since this project will be implemented by All-In, even if the total amount of support does not reach the target amount on the due date, purchase it from the required medical supplies list by October 11, 2021, Ho Chi Minh City. We will send the money to the hospital and as soon as the supplies are full, we will deliver them to the hospital.
* The details of the use of the support money, including expenses, will be reported at the end of November.
* Due to the nature of emergency assistance, it may be necessary to change the usage according to the needs of the site. Even in that case, we will make effective use of the support money on the premise of humanitarian / medical support.

 ■ Schedule to deliver support

Remittance of supplies purchase funds: October 11
Local procurement: October 11th to 30th
Distribution of local supplies: As soon as supplies are purchased

* Depending on the situation in Vietnam, the arrival time of supplies may be slightly different. In addition, the purchase quantity and kinds of commodities may change depending on the situation.

※ Introduction of Play Learn and Grow (PL & G)

The local operator of this project is a charity of Play Learn and Grow (PL & G) which is affiliated with the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City.

Play Learn and Grow (PL & G) was founded in 2008 and has 13 years of experience in implementing many community projects in education, health and the environment.

We are trusted by many national and international organizations such as Southern Children's Rights Protection Association, Hung Thinh Real Estate Corp, Phat Dat Corp, Kem Nghia JSC, MOL Japanese, KFC, TH True Milk, BOO Water JSC, Navigos and more. It is a companion. We also receive support from Sony Vietnam, LG Vietnam, Hong Kong Business Association, LDSC and BASF (USA), AEFA (Japan), Frudenberg Group (Germany) ... and many other sponsors.

This time, PL & G will carry out medical funding support activities with millions of hearts toward Ho Chi Minh City, function as a bridge to connect with domestic and foreign resources, and will be carried out by the hospital at the forefront of prevention and treatment of the new coronavirus. We support medical activities.

WEBSITE: https://play-learn-grow.vn/

*Japan Contact information

Project Coordinator: Le Ngoc Bao Vi (lengocbaovi237@gmail.com)
Accountant: Nguyen Nhu Thao (thaonguyen512312@gmail.com)

AFTERWORDS

 We understand that Vietnam, Japan and the whole world are struggling with this pandemic. It is much more terrible when there are no signs of  decline in the number of people infected with coronavirus and even more severely, the number of dead people is increasing significantly day by day. This is a very painful request, but we really need your warm support.

At the beginning, I used the expression "There is a life that can be saved with your meal." Even it might be just a meal, your support will be a great energy to fight the pandemic. 

Again, for a day that human beings can overcome this tragic coronavirus situation, for a day that doctors, far-away home children can reunite and bring a normal life back, for no one has to breathe one’s last ALONE, please give us a hand!