3M Vietnam and MSD team up to support communities hit by COVID-19

The launch workshop of the "For a Vietnam with no one left behind amid COVID-19"

Vietnam is one of eight countries across the Asia-Pacific receiving a share of a 3M grant totalling more than VND22 billion($956,500) which is being directed to projects supporting nutrition, mental and physical health, education, and COVID-19 awareness, according to the most pressing local needs and pandemic status of the country.

The Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) and the local UW organisation, is working with 3M Vietnam to implement the programme named "For a Vietnam with no one left behind amid COVID-19" to support vulnerable households and individuals affected by COVID-19 in the period from August to December 2020.

The programme’s support will impact approximately 1,000-1,200 individuals including stateless persons, migrants, low-income families, people with disabilities and HIV/AIDS, the homeless, children with cerebral palsy, and more. They will receive basic food security packages, hygiene kits, and access to health education workshops. 3M has contributed more than VND1 billion ($43,480) through United Way Worldwide to this programme.

“It’s important that 3M holds true to its core values during this pandemic by supporting our communities and improving lives,” said Jacky Kang, country leader, 3M Vietnam. “The projects with United Way form part of a $20 million commitment made by 3M at a corporate level to support COVID-19 relief projects globally, and we’re grateful that some of this funding is helping the most vulnerable population in Vietnam, especially who are unable to access the government’s COVID-19 financial aid package, to access food and basic hygiene as well as health education to strengthen awareness and resilience during these exceptional times.”

According to Hooyung Young, vice president of Southeast Asia, Korea and Japan at United Way Worldwide, United Way Worldwide has been helping communities in need for more than 130 years, but the scale of the COVID-19 crisis and its far-reaching impact on people’s health, social mobility, income, and job security – factors that are essential to wellbeing – has posed new challenges.

“Vietnam is a well-known country with innovations and I believe that we can get over this unprecedented challenge by coming together and learning from each other,” the vice president added.

Through the “For a Vietnam with no one left behind amid COVID-19” programme, MSD Vietnam, United Way Worldwide, 3M, and other partners desire to partially ease the burden on those who have been adversely affected by the pandemic. Together, we can make a real difference to people’s quality of life as we navigate through the coronavirus pandemic.”

3M applies science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, its 96,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Formed in 1994, 3M Vietnam has grown to service customers across Vietnam in 12 expertise areas including: manufacturing, infrastructure, transportation, consumer, safety, healthcare, and more.

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