Homes of 1 million people in ruin as major typhoon hits Vietnam
Kuala Lumpur/Hanoi/Geneva, 28 October, 2020 – Catastrophic floods across central Vietnam have already ruined the homes of more than one million people as yet another major storm takes aim for the battered region.
In excess of 310,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed by recent flooding, leaving close to 1.2 million people in severe danger and in need of relief.
Now, as Typhoon Molave bears down on Vietnam, hundreds of thousands of people remain in need of shelter, safe drinking water, sanitation, food and livelihoods support after four major storms in the past month have caused severe flooding in the country’s central provinces. Typhoon Molave is expected to make landfall today, 28 October, bringing with it destructive winds and yet more rain.
In response to the existing flooding, and in anticipation of further impacts as a result of Typhoon Molave, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an Emergency Appeal for 3.9 million Swiss Francs to fund relief and recovery efforts for an estimated 158,525 people. IFRC has already provided nearly 300,000 Swiss francs to support local emergency efforts.
Mdm. Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, President, Viet Nam Red Cross Society, said the agency’s staff and volunteers are supporting the government with a mass evacuation of 1.3 million people who are in the path of Typhoon Molave:
“The people of Vietnam are tough, yet this is among the worst destruction ever seen in many areas. The relentless storms and flooding are taking a devastating human toll, further destroying livelihoods and isolating millions of people.
“We are mounting one of our biggest relief operations ever, to provide critical relief including food, blankets, tarpaulins and cooking equipment. All our hard-work in containing the social and economic fallout of COVID-19 is being undone by these massive storms hitting us one after the other,” Madam Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu said.
It is estimated that at least 150,000 people are at immediate risk of food shortages and hunger after thousands of hectares of crops have been destroyed, while over 2 million cattle and poultry are dead or swept away in some of the worst flooding in decades.
Christopher Rassi, acting Head of IFRC’s Country Cluster Delegation in Bangkok, said: “These relentless storms are yet another example of the devastating impact of climate change. More storms mean worse floods and catastrophic damage for the people and economy of Vietnam.
“We must act swiftly as people are in urgent need of short-term relief and longer-term assistance to restore food security and livelihoods and to rebuild ruined homes,” Mr Rassi said.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
In Bangkok: Preeti Abraham, +66 61 412 3910, preeti.abraham@ifrc.org
In Kuala Lumpur: Antony Balmain, +60 12 230 8451, antony.balmain@ifrc.org
In Geneva: Rebecca Cole, Mobile +41 79 245 56 80, rebecca.cole@ifrc.org
