Vietnam will host the Presidential and Secretary General’s meeting of the Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN)’s humanitarian associations over August 13-14.

Vietnam ’s Red Cross Society (VRC) released the information at its standing committee’s meeting in Hanoi on July 13.

The VRC will also host an international conference on human influenza pandemics in September to gain international experience and information in coping with the threat.

The association will launch an action month for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in August as well as campaigns against diseases and natural disasters nationwide.

According to the society’s President Tran Ngoc Tang, in the first six months of the year, VRC has made many encouraging achievements despite the current difficulties. The campaign “Tet holiday’s for disadvantaged people and AO victims” benefited 920,000 poor people and AO victims.

The association has called for voluntary blood donations and taken part in an information campaign to guard against A/H1N1 flu nationwide.

Addressing the meeting, former State President Tran Duc Luong, VRC Honorary President, praised the society’s humanitarian activities.

He also asked the VRC to pay more attention to AO victims and the disabled.

Added to this, the VRC needs to implement a specific action plan to protect the environment and reduce the impacts of climate change plus commend outstanding individuals and organisations who take part in humanitarian activities./.