Bui Duc Hinh, Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial People's Council, discusses with officials and members of the provincial Fatherland Front Committee on consolidating and promoting the great solidarity bloc. 

In the first months of 2022, which were the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Fatherland Fronts at all levels actively called on and encouraged organisations and individuals inside and outside the province to support the prevention and control of the pandemic. Notably, over 105,000 COVID-19 rapid test kits and equipment were received and allocated to localities and facilities. All-level fronts also deducted from the pandemic prevention and control fund to present gifts for people in difficult circumstances; and mobilised and gave 100 tablets to poor students to serve their online learning. 

When the pandemic was under control, there remained many difficulties in economic recovery and development, and life stabilisation, especially for the poor. To ensure no one is left behind, the Fatherland Fronts at all levels stepped up dissemination, and encouraged locals to support a fund for the poor. Notably, right at the fundraising ceremony last year, 70.7 billion VND (3 million USD) was raised – the highest-ever amount. 

During the year, nearly 24 billion VND was donated to the fund, in which 19.2 billion VND was spent on constructing and repairing 396 great solidarity houses, building cultural houses and roads for disadvantageous areas, and presenting 390 scholarships to poor students. The advocacy boards of the funds in districts and Hoa Binh city also paid attention to supporting poor households with extremely difficult circumstances in terms of housing and livelihoods, and people affected by natural disasters. 

In addition, the provincial Fatherland Front Committee allocated 170 great solidarity houses worth 8.5 billion VND, sponsored by economic groups, to poor households, policy families, and those who rendered service to the nation; inaugurates and handed over two primary-secondary schools, and gave many gifts to vulnerable groups. These results contribute to sustainable poverty reduction, and social welfare assurance in the province. 

The Fatherland Front and its member organisations disseminated and encouraged people from all walks of life to actively participate in patriotic emulation campaigns and movements, notably "All people unite to build new-style rural areas and civilised urban areas" and "Vietnamese people prioritise made-in-Vietnam goods"; and maintain and develop self-governing models in the community. 

Head of the provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilisation Commission, Chairman of the provincial Fatherland Front Committee Bui Tien Luc affirmed that the front has asserted its position and role, and promoted the achieved results and addressed limitations. It will strive to well fulfill its tasks in 2023, he said./.