The Vietnam Red Cross on January 5 allocated 2,100 tonnes of rice to people in 10 cities and provinces that suffered badly from natural disasters in 2009.

The rice was donated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in response to an appeal from Vietnam ’s Red Cross.

The beneficiaries include the central provinces of Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, Nghe An and Thanh Hoa, the Central Highlands provinces of Kon Tum and Dak Lak and Da Nang City.

According to Vietnam ’s Red Cross, about 50,000 households in the 10 localities will be allocated 10kg of rice for each member, ensuring food supplies for the month in between crops./.