FROM THE FIELD
World Vision relief and assessment staff are heading to flood-affected areas of northern Vietnam as waters begin to recede and travel becomes possible.
Floods and landslides triggered by Storm Kammuri since last Friday have killed 112 people, injured 81 and left 45 others missing, devastated infrastructure and cut off many major roads in northern provinces including Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son and Quang Ninh, according to official statistics.
As well as working closely with Disaster Management Working Group to assess the damage of the floods, World Vision has already commenced distribution of emergency relief items, mainly food aid, to the residents in Yen Bai. At present, water level in local rivers in the region is receding but many roads are still inaccessible due to damage or mud block.
Yen Bai is one of the worst hit districts, with at least 35 deaths and 25 reported injuries, as well as nearly 700 damaged houses. Initial statistics from the three districts showed that more than 100 houses in World Vision's existing development areas of Van Yen and Tran Yen were collapsed or swept away, and hundreds of houses were seriously damaged.
Initial assessments also indicate that up to 2.500 ha rice and other crops have been damaged in Tran Yen, leaving an estimated 4.200 local families in danger of hunger. Five communes in Van Yen are still isolated by floods and may have been affected by landslides.
The railroad from Hanoi to Lao Cai (via Yen Bai) has been temporary restored with limited access but main roads from Hanoi to Yen Bai were not accessible as of August 11. Many evacuated families have not yet returned to their home in the light of coming heavy rains.
Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai worked with the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control and representatives of relevant ministries and agencies in Hanoi on August 11 to seek ways to assist isolated and flood-hit northern communities. Government food distributions have already taken place by airdrop.
According to the Central Hydro-meteorology Forecasting Centre, more floods may come to the region in the coming days as a current low tropical depression, which is moving at an average speed of 10 km per hour to the coastal areas from Thai Binh to Thanh Hoa, is likely causing heavy rains in northern and central provinces late this week.
For more information, please contact:
Le Van Duong
Relief & Disaster Mitigation Coordinator, World Vision Vietnam
Mobile: +84904 162 634
Email: Le_Van_Duong@wvi.org
Nguyen Kim Ngan
Communications Manager, World Vision Vietnam
Office: 84-4-943 9920 (Ext: 117)
Email: Nguyen_Kim_Ngan@wvi.org
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
