NDO – The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has handed over medical equipment worth VND1.8 billion (US$78,320) to help the Indian government and people battle COVID-19 on May 18.

Speaking at the handover ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City, the Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the VBS Executive Council conveyed his sympathies to the pandemic-hit country, expressing his hope that the aid will soon reach the Indian people and the Government and people of India will overcome the pandemic as soona s possible.

The VBS called on Buddhist monks, nuns and followers and people around Vietnam to support their Indian counterparts to overcome these difficulties, he added.

For his part, Indian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Madan Mohan Sethi expressed his gratitude to the VBS and Buddhist monks, nuns and followers and people in Vietnam for their assistance in the fight against COVID-19, pledging to deliver the aid to the needy.

On the occasion, the Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon also presented a token of 75 ventilators and oxygen concentrators to the Consul General.

An additional 45 ventilators and oxygen concentrators will soon be handed over to the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

On May 12, the VBS also handed over 100 ventilators and 50 oxygen concentrators worth VND14 billion to the Embassy of India at a ceremony in Hanoi.