In 2013, Điêu Thị Sợi’s family in Mường Tùng village, Mường Tùng commune, received a breeding cow through the Red Cross Society’s “Cow bank” program. For a poor household, the cow was a valuable asset that opened up new opportunities to improve the family’s livelihood.

From the original breeding cow, offspring and young cattle have continued to be passed on to other families in difficult circumstances under the program. Today, Sợi’s family has a herd of five cattle.

“We were very happy to receive the breeding cow. It was a valuable asset for our family. Because we took good care of it, the cow reproduced, giving us an additional source of livelihood and gradually helping us achieve a more stable life,” Điêu Thị Sợi said.

From one beneficiary family, the support continues to reach other families in need. This is also the lasting value that the “Cow bank” project seeks to create.

The province currently has 651 cattle under the project, with a total value of around VND 6 billion. In the first nine months of 2026 alone, seven cows gave birth, and five calves were passed on to poor households in Nà Tấu and Mường Phăng communes.

Humanitarian work in the province goes beyond livelihood support, taking many forms and focusing on people’s practical needs. During the 2022-2026 term, humanitarian activities carried out by the provincial Red Cross Society were valued at more than VND 121 billion, benefiting more than 285,000 people facing difficult circumstances.

During the 2026 Humanitarian Month alone, Red Cross chapters at all levels mobilized resources for a wide range of activities at the grassroots level, with an estimated total value of VND 20.7 billion, benefiting more than 11,000 people. The resources raised have helped build and repair homes, provide scholarships and meals for students in mountainous areas, offer medical examinations and free medicines, and provide timely assistance to people facing unexpected hardships and misfortunes.

Voluntary blood donation is another direct form of humanitarian action, helping give patients a chance to survive. Since the beginning of the year, 21 voluntary blood donation drives have been held across the province, attracting 4,500 registered donors and collecting 4,290 units of blood, equivalent to 63% of the annual target.

Twenty-five standby blood donation clubs, with 975 members, continue to operate and remain ready to donate blood when patients require emergency transfusions.

The voluntary blood donation movement is also drawing an increasing number of dedicated individuals. In Điện Biên Phủ ward, Nguyễn Thị Huế is among those who have supported the movement for many years. Since her first donation, she has given blood 40 times to help save lives.

“I believe that every drop of blood I give can help save a patient’s life and give them more time with their family. Whenever there is a blood donation drive, I always try to take part,” Huế said.

According to Đặng Xuân Vịnh, Chairman of the provincial Red Cross Society, the organization will continue to play its core role as a bridge-builder and coordinator of humanitarian activities, while strengthening efforts to mobilize and connect social resources to support people living in poverty, vulnerable groups and those facing hardship.

Humanitarian programs will continue to focus on practical support tailored to the needs of different groups and localities.

As resources continue to be shared, the bridge of compassion reaches ever farther. Every breeding cow, every home, scholarship and unit of blood given to those in need carries not only material value, but also a message of solidarity, helping restore hope and giving people facing hardship the confidence and motivation to move forward in life.