Fa Cung

Since last week, the Vietamite government has imposed new restrictions, closing most shops. The Catholic community is supporting families in difficulty.

The Covid-19 emergency has not stopped charitable activities and the community has asked the authorities for a list of the poorest people to help. Faithful of all ages mobilised. Pastor Joseph Phạm Bá Lãm: "Our secret? Prayer and listening to the word of God".

The pandemic has forced Vietnam’s agricultural sector to upgrade. Cooperatives have adopted new strategies to guarantee a stable income for farmers even during the fourth wave.

Forced to close due to social distancing, facility for the poor was reorganised to hand out food. Parishes stand with people who lost their jobs as a result of the emergency. Catholics show solidarity in Hoàng Mai, under quarantine.

The province has reported 70 cases in the last two weeks. Although not among the most affected, many locals are in solitary confinement. Caritas and local parishes are close to the sick and people forced into quarantine.

Catholic groups have mobilised to help the poor with free meals and care. Today, local authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have extended distancing rules for a further two weeks.

The number of cases is not declining. Local authorities and Catholic associations are coping with the fourth wave. An emergency hospital has been built in Bắc Ninh province. The Bishops’ Conference is urging dioceses to help pay for the vaccines.

1.2 million doses of AstraZeneca already sent to Taiwan. Covid-19 cases rising since April and only 1% of the Vietnamese population vaccinated. The cooperation between Japan and Vietnam also concerns the dispute with China over the islands in the South China Sea.

Cases of Covid-19 are on the rise across the country. On International Children's Day on 1 June, government and hospitals step up support for children.

Vietnam is going through the fourth wave of the pandemic. Caritas is providing economic aid as well as cultural, educational and health support. Chemical fertilisers have caused great havoc. The Catholic charity is helping local farmers move towards sustainable agriculture.

Concern is growing in the capital over a new wave that began in late April in Vènh Phúc province. The rosary is recited in the streets near Hanoi cathedral asking for an end to COVID-19 with many non-Catholics joining the prayer.

An outbreak was reported in a bar in Vĩnh Phúc province. People tested positive after coming into contact with Chinese. Yesterday 35 new cases were reported. The authorities are on alert, but official figures are far from what is seen in countries like India.