On the morning of September 18, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a ceremony to receive support for recovering from the aftermath of Storm No. 3 and the floods that followed from international organizations and embassies of Australia, the United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, the United States, and South Korea.
DAMAGES EXCEEDING 2 BILLION USD
Speaking at the event, on behalf of the Vietnamese people affected by the floods, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep expressed sincere gratitude to the ambassadors and international organizations for their support, empathy, and solidarity with Vietnam in overcoming the challenges posed by Storm No. 3.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep stated that Storm No. 3 had caused immense devastation. Particularly, the storm’s aftermath triggered flash floods and landslides, resulting in extensive destruction. While the death toll stood at 13 during the storm, the subsequent floods led to over 300 fatalities.
Right after the storm, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organized delegations, along with international partners, to assess the damages. Regarding the economic impact, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep estimated the losses to be at least 2 billion USD, and possibly even 2.5 billion USD.
“Storm No. 3 is considered one of the most economically damaging storms in Vietnam’s history. However, this number pales in comparison to the long-term consequences of the storm. Many children have been left orphaned or lost their loved ones.”
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“In the past few days, Vietnamese people from all over the country have sent 1 million tons of goods and more than 1,000 billion VND in aid to support the flood-affected communities. Along with the efforts of the Vietnamese people, the international community’s support is invaluable to us. We appreciate the swift and accurate response of international organizations and countries through their embassies,” expressed Deputy Minister Hiep.
Regarding international assistance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related parties, has mobilized attention and received commitments of over 13 million USD in aid, along with 200 tons of relief goods (according to incomplete statistics) from the governments of Australia, Switzerland, India, Japan (JICA), the ASEAN AHA Center, United Nations agencies (UNDP, UNICEF), and the organization Samaritan’s Purse. The Ministry has coordinated and swiftly transported these supplies to the affected areas: Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, and Lang Son, to support the flood-affected communities.
“Many people have lost their homes and urgently need financial support to rebuild or repair their houses. It will take a considerable amount of time and effort to restore the infrastructure and stabilize the lives of the affected communities,” added Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep.
Notably, at the event, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep also shared the latest information about Storm No. 4, which is expected to make landfall in central Vietnam, affecting the region from Quang Ngai to Thanh Hoa provinces. The storm is predicted to bring strong gusts of up to level 8 and cause heavy rainfall over a large area on September 19-20, with rainfall expected to be higher than that of Storm No. 3. The Deputy Minister also expressed concern about the potential for flooding and flash floods in central Vietnam. In the afternoon of September 18, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will hold a meeting with local authorities to discuss the situation regarding Storm No. 4.
JOIN HANDS TO STABILIZE THE LIVES OF THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES
Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep stated, “Natural disasters in Vietnam are extremely severe and continuous. However, we cannot let these disasters halt our progress. Life must go on after a calamity. With the determination and efforts of the Vietnamese people and the support of international organizations and countries, I am hopeful that things will return to normal soon.”
Sharing the sentiments of the Vietnamese people, Ms. Pauline Fatima Tamesis, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Vietnam, spoke about the damages caused by Storm No. 3 and its aftermath. She mentioned that the United Nations had organized three assessment teams covering eight related areas, including education, clean water, environmental sanitation, and agriculture.
Ms. Tamesis pledged the United Nations’ solidarity and support in facing the challenges posed by natural disasters. Additionally, the United Nations will collaborate with the Vietnamese government to develop a comprehensive post-disaster recovery plan, providing a specific framework for supporting affected individuals and communities, with the aim of mobilizing adequate and timely resources.
Mr. Iain Frew, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Vietnam, acknowledged the challenges of post-disaster recovery and emphasized the importance of ensuring timely and appropriate support for the affected communities. He also offered assistance in developing solutions and plans to better prepare for and mitigate the risks associated with future natural disasters.
At the event, the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Sandeep Arya, shared, “We always coordinate with the Vietnamese government to make timely decisions. Immediately after receiving information about the impact of Storm No. 3 on Vietnam, we mobilized resources to provide support to the affected areas and communities, including Yen Bai province.”
Furthermore, Ambassador Sandeep Arya suggested that after becoming a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Vietnam should actively engage to gain more experience in building resilient infrastructure that can withstand the risks associated with natural disasters.
During the meeting, symbolic donations were presented to support the communities affected by Storm No. 3: The Ambassador of the United Kingdom offered 1 million GBP (equivalent to 1.3 million USD); the Indian Embassy donated 1 million USD; the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contributed 1 million USD; New Zealand provided 620,000 USD; the Australian Embassy gave 3 million AUD (equivalent to 2 million USD); the South Korean Embassy donated 2 million USD; and the Swiss Embassy contributed 1 million Swiss francs (equivalent to 1.2 million USD).
The Business Community Rallies to Support Those Affected by Storm Yagi
The recent Typhoon No. 3 (Yagi) and its aftermath of floods, landslides, and other natural disasters have had a devastating impact on the lives of people in the northern provinces of Vietnam. Heartwarmingly, the business community has stepped up and shown immense support for those affected by the typhoon.
“Government Calls for Tax Relief, Interest Waivers for Flood-Affected Citizens and Businesses”
The government has issued Resolution No. 143/NQ-CP on September 17, 2024, outlining key tasks and solutions to urgently address the aftermath of Typhoon No. 3 (Yagi). This comprehensive resolution aims to swiftly stabilize the situation for the people, boost the recovery of business and production, actively promote economic growth, and effectively curb inflation.
Leaving No One Behind
Last week, the people of Vietnam, particularly those in the northern regions, endured an unforgettable experience as Tropical Storm Yagi unleashed its fury.
“Stay Strong, Northern Vietnam!” – A Journey to Bring Clean Water to Flood-Affected Communities
With a spirit of camaraderie and unity, we go the extra mile, traversing geographical hurdles and braving mountainous terrains and floodwaters, to deliver pure drinking water to those in need.
‘Coffee and Conversations’: A Nationwide Fundraising Initiative for the Vietnam Fatherland Front
At cafes across the nation, a heartwarming initiative is taking place. Patrons are being invited to donate their bill amount to the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s flood relief efforts. This simple yet impactful act of kindness is spreading like wildfire, with an outpouring of support from the community.
