Districts in Hanoi have disbursed more than VND3,500 billion (US$149 million) to support people hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, Kinhtedothi.vn reported.

Earlier, on April 29, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Ngo Van Quy signed a decision to disburse a part of the money to support people in need, including revolutionary contributors, social assistance beneficiaries and poor people.

People in Yen Nghia ward, Ha Dong district receive governmental aid. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

In this period, the aid is estimated to benefit about 414,000 people with a total budget of over VND505.6 billion (US$21.7 million).

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Hong Dan said as of May 3, many districts had given out the money to the right people.

By May 4 afternoon, Hanoi has basically completed delivering the support.

Head of Division of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Cau Giay district Nguyen Quang Hong said that the disbursement has been carried out with transparency and timeliness to support 3,310 people in the district with a total budget of nearly VND5 billion (US$213,004).

Many needy people said they felt touched when receiving the aid from Hanoi's government, because this is timely attention.

“During the social distancing period due to Covid-19, my son-in-law and my daughter lost their jobs, and we have two children to support, thus, life has been very hard. I'm very touched since this assistance comes at the right moment,” said Truong Do Chuyen, a veteran.

On April 24, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed a decision to roll out a relief package worth VND62 trillion (US$2.7 billion) to support vulnerable people directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The package covers six beneficiary groups who would receive financial support in cash during three months starting from April.

The funding for the package would come from state and provincial budgets, including savings from regular expenditures for meetings, workshops, abroad working trips, festivals and others.

In addition to direct financial support, workers are entitled for deferral in contribution for pensions and death gratuity funds in 12 months.