Souvenir store in Ho Chi Minh, Vietname
Cuba sent doctors and food to Vietname during the war. Now, ordinary Vietnamese are sending money to Cubans who are experiencing difficulties.
One generosity wave It is flowing from Vietnam to Cuba as ordinary Vietnamese citizens donate to help a nation facing serious economic difficulties.
Driven by the memories of Cuba’s support during the Vietnam War, when the island sent doctors, food and cattle, donors have contributed to small amounts, Often only 38 centsin a campaign coordinated by the Vietname Central Central Committee.
In the first week, the initiative raised More than $ 13 millionexceeding the expectations of campaign promoters, reports the.
According to the 65 -day campaignwhich began on 13 August and is expected to end on October 16, it aimed to reach a total of $ 2.5 million in donations.
Many donors were inspired by stories of Cuba’s past solidarity. “I feel bad to see that people in Cuba are suffering economic difficulties,” he says Dinh Hien Mo33, who donated $ 19 of his modest performance in a family grocery store.
The campaign coincides with a Acute Economic Crisis in Cuba. Tourism has not recovered since the pandemic, the Inflation quadrupled In the last five years and the Energy cuts They became widespread due to an aged power grid and fuel scarcity.
In a country where sometimes many essential products, including FOOD AND MEDICINESare increasingly inaccessible – while the child mortality ratewhich was inferior to that of the United States and the European Union, began to increase.
Analysts attribute much of the crisis to poor economic management longtime and strict state control, Aggravated by the US embargo, which limits Cuba’s options since 1962.
The island nation, which had an unequal but developed economypractically equivalent to that of Argentina in the 1950s, remained under the uncompromising domain of Fidel Castro to yours.
Vietnam, in contrast, transformed its economy in the 1980s, adopting the private initiativerestoring relations with the US and practically eliminating extreme poverty.
Vietnamese economists They had already advised Cuba To make similar reforms, but the Cuban authorities have largely rejected these suggestions.
At the moment, Vietname continues to support Cuba diplomatic and materially, including donations of rice and promises of closer bilateral relations.
The crowdfunding initiative, launched to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, has attracted more than 1.7 million donations – a Reflection of the strong emotional connection between the peoples of the two nations.
In the X, the Cuban President, Miguel Díaz-Canelthanked Vietname for “An act of love of a working and heroic people”.
Some campaign critics claim that It makes no sense support leaders who the Cuban people impoverished. But donors say they expect only that money transfers reach the needy people.
“I know that Vietname’s support It will not be enough to solve everythingBut I hope it helps somehow, ”says Dinh Hien Mo.“ And I hope their economy gets better – so people can have better lives”.
