HCMC – The Vatican on August 24 announced that Pope Francis would send 100,000 euros (over US$177,400) in emergency aid to Vietnam through diplomatic agencies to help the country deal with the raging Covid-19 outbreak.
According to the Vatican’s statement, the sum was an initial contribution as Vietnam is in a state of grave danger due to the socioeconomic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pope Francis would also send 200,000 euros to Haiti to help deal with the aftermath of an earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people. In addition, nearly 60,000 euros would be sent to Bangladesh to support those affected by Cyclone Yaas.
The sums come from Peter’s Pence, a fund to which Catholics contribute for general or specific causes. A financial report released last month showed that the fund amounted to 50 million euros in 2020.
