06 December 2013 – Members of the former Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Armed Forces Veterans and Friends, led by their President, Mr. Phḁm Hòa, called on Consul General Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega on December 03 to present their organization’s check donation for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the Philippines. 

The group of veterans chose the Philippine Red Cross as the recipient organization for their monetary donation of US$6,015.00. Mr. Phḁm explains that the Vietnamese community particularly the veterans, remember the kindness received from the Philippines when it opened its shores for the Vietnamese boat people. 

When they saw the need for assistance in the Philippines due to the aftermath of the super typhoon, members of their organization, especially the senior veteran members who once lived in Subic, Bataan and Palawan camps for the Vietnamese boat people awaiting their resettlement to third countries including the U.S., rallied efforts immediately to collect donations and to give support. 

Consul General De La Vega expressed great appreciation for the generous donation of the RVN Veterans and Friends and the group’s kind thoughts about the Philippines and it’s compassionate/humanitarian role in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan of Action for Vietnamese Boat People in the 1980s. END