Palestinian Expat in Vietnam Bridges Communities, Supports Homeland
Saleem Hammad, a Palestinian expat living in Vietnam for 14 years, has been actively supporting his homeland. On National Day, he penned a tribute to his Vietnamese friends, reminding them of the Palestinian people's longing for peace. Recently, he coordinated aid deliveries through the Moonlight Humanity Foundation.
Hammad was born in a village north of Jenin city in 1993. He engaged in a friendly contest about Vietnamese history and music with an Australian, Ethan Kelly, by the iconic Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hanoi. His younger brother was wounded in the conflict in Gaza in August 2022, news reaching Hammad while he was in Vietnam.
Hammad and his friends prepared lentil soup to be sent to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. His network's aid has reached northern Gaza, providing food and clean water to Palestinian families, including children. Two water tanks, each with a 20,000-litre capacity, were distributed weekly to about 5,000 people at a cost of VND25 million (USD950) each. The donor of these tanks remains unknown.
President Lương Cường called for a ceasefire and the opening of aid corridors to deliver essential food and water to Palestinians in a UN Plenary meeting. Hammad has also launched a plan to introduce Vietnam's tourism and agricultural produce to the Arab world.
Saleem Hammad's efforts, from engaging in cultural exchanges to coordinating aid and promoting Vietnam, reflect his commitment to bridging communities and supporting his homeland. Despite the challenges, his initiatives continue to make a difference in the lives of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
