A businessman has set up two rice dispensing machines in Hanoi to help the poor and the needy during the coronavirus crisis. The machines were operated in two community centres, attracting hundreds of people.

The businessman learned about this initiative from a similar idea by an entrepreneur in Ho Chi Minh City and decided to duplicate the same project in Hanoi. He initially aimed to distribute 10 tons of rice from April 11th to April 30th with the first machine. Many donors have also brought rice to contribute to the good deed.

Rice is stored in a large tank placed on a high position and is poured through the pipe as the collector steps on the pedal. The machine is set up so that each time, 3 kg of rice is withdrawn. People in the queue have to stand 2 meters apart from each other and are required to use hand sanitiser when registering for rice collection.

Vietnam has reported 267 Covid-19 cases, of which 96 are active, as of April 15th. No deaths have been recorded so far. The country has implemented a social distancing programme since March 31, requiring non-essential businesses to close down. In the first quarter of 2020, more than 30,000 enterprises have stopped their business temporarily or permanently, causing thousands of people to lose their jobs.
The social distancing campaign will continue until April 22 in Hanoi, HCMC and 10 other localities deemed to be at high risk of Covid-19 spread.


Timecode:

00:00 - 01:51: People queue and wait for their turn to withdraw 3 kg of rice from the automatic machine.
01:51 - 02:07: Soundbite 1: Title: Mrs. Dinh Thi Tuyen
Translation: "I live by collection scraps. My children don't take care of me. I collect scraps until 11 every night. How do you feel when receiving rice? (reporter asks). I am really thankful for them to help me.
02:08 - 02:15: Soundbite 2: Title: Mr. Tran Van Hue. "I personally thank the business and donors for helping the poor like us".
02:16 - 02:26: Soundbite 3: Title: Mrs. Dam Linh Chi. "The head of the residential area informed me about the free rice scheme. I am very touched".
02:27 - 02:45: People wearing mask, registering to collect rice.
02:46 - End: Stacks of rice donated to the poor.