Top leader calls for shift from disaster relief to proactive humanitarian resilience
VOV.VN - Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has urged the Vietnam Red Cross Society to move beyond post-disaster relief toward proactive prevention, community resilience, and human-centred development, while addressing the 12th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society in Hanoi on July 28.
Speaking before about 500 delegates representing more than 5.6 million officials, members, volunteers and youth volunteers of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, the top leader pledged that the Politburo and the Party Secretariat would continue supporting the organisation in strengthening its role and improving the effectiveness of humanitarian work in the country's new development phase.
During the congress, delegates also formally nominated Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to serve as Honourary President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society for the 2026–2031 term.
Humanitarian work should become part of national development strategy
According to the top leader, Vietnam is entering a new stage of development with the goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045. It is pursuing rapid and sustainable economic growth, scientific and technological advancement, innovation, digital transformation, and institutional reform.
However, he stressed that the ultimate measure of national development is the well-being of its people.
"A strong Vietnam must also be a compassionate Vietnam. A modern society must know how to share. A developed nation must respect and protect the dignity and safety of every individual," he said.
Based on that vision, humanitarian work should no longer be viewed merely as emergency assistance after disasters, epidemics or crises, but rather as an integral component of human development, social security, disaster risk management and community resilience.
From emergency relief to proactive prevention
The top Party and State leader emphasised that the most important shift in humanitarian thinking is moving from reactive response to proactive prevention, from post-disaster relief to early warning and early action, and from temporary assistance to long-term livelihood recovery and resilience building.
He called on the Vietnam Red Cross Society to play a greater role in community-based disaster risk management by helping o develop early warning systems, local emergency response forces, first-aid networks and safe community models.
Each commune, ward and special administrative zone should gradually establish trained volunteer teams capable of supporting vulnerable groups, including children, older people, persons with disabilities, seriously ill patients, and residents in remote, border and island areas.
Beyond immediate relief efforts, the organisation should accompany affected communities throughout the recovery process, helping to restore livelihoods and improve long-term resilience against future risks.
The top leader also urged stronger preparedness for public health emergencies, accidents and mental health crises by expanding first-aid training in schools, workplaces and communities.
Towards a people-centred humanitarian ecosystem
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed that the Vietnam Red Cross Society should continue strengthening its role as the country’s leading humanitarian organisation while ensuring that all activities are centred on the actual needs of people.
Support should prioritise those most in need, ensuring no one is left behind because of geography, administrative procedures or limited digital access.
He also called for better identification of humanitarian gaps to avoid overlapping assistance or inefficient resource allocation.
"Providing assistance must always go hand in hand with respecting human dignity," he noted.
Modernising humanitarian governance through digital transformation
The top Party and State leader identified transparency, accountability and digital transformation as key priorities for the Society.
He said all donations should be managed openly and efficiently, allowing donors to understand how their contributions are used while giving beneficiaries opportunities to provide feedback on the assistance they receive.
He also called for the rapid development of a unified humanitarian database linked with national databases and the country’s social security system.
The organisation should actively apply big data, artificial intelligence (AI), digital mapping technologies and online platforms to assess humanitarian needs, coordinate resources, issue early warnings, manage volunteer networks and evaluate the effectiveness of humanitarian programmes.
Building a professional humanitarian organisation
The top leader also urged the Vietnam Red Cross Society to continue streamlining its organisational structure alongside improving professionalism and operational efficiency.
Officials, members and volunteers should receive more systematic training in identifying humanitarian needs, mobilising resources, coordinating emergency operations and responding to disasters.
He proposed establishing specialised volunteer teams focusing on first aid, health care, rescue operations, psychological support, logistics, technology and disaster management.
He further encouraged stronger coordination between the Vietnam Red Cross Society and ministries, educational institutions, youth organisations, businesses and media agencies in promoting blood donation, organ and tissue donation, first-aid education and community healthcare.
He also called for Vietnam to strengthen its participation in international humanitarian cooperation, contributing to the country's image as a peaceful, compassionate and responsible member of the international community.
Concluding his remarks, the leader said patriotism, solidarity and compassion have long been among Vietnam's greatest strengths.
"Compassion only has real meaning when it is translated into action. A humane society is not only one where people are willing to help, but also one with organisations capable of delivering assistance to the right people, at the right time, and in the right way."
Red Cross Society prioritises digital transformation, humanitarian reform
VOV.VN - The Vietnam Red Cross Society opened its 12th National Congress in Hanoi on July 28, setting out an ambitious agenda to modernise humanitarian work through digital transformation, stronger volunteer networks and expanded social welfare programmes.
