$9.7 million in international support for post-disaster recovery efforts

On the morning of October 28, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) held a ceremony to acknowledge international solidarity and support for the people of Viet Nam following storms Bualoi and Matmo.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam Pauline Tamesis co-chaired the event. Attendees included ambassadors from Australia, the Republic of Korea, Ireland, Singapore, and Canada; representatives from the Delegation of the European Union to Viet Nam, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations agencies, and other international organizations.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep expressed his gratitude for the valuable support of the international community to Vietnamese people affected by recent natural disasters. He also shared the Government’s and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s directions for disaster prevention and response in the coming period.

According to him, the assistance packages are not only practical but also a great source of encouragement for affected communities. “In just 20 days, we received support from 30 countries and international organizations, including nine EU member states, 20 UN agencies, and several other partners, with a total value of 9.7 million USD. Of this amount, about 7.2 million USD was distributed in cash to households, and goods worth 2.5 million USD were provided directly to affected communities,” the Deputy Minister said.

To date, 100% of relief goods have been delivered to affected communities, except for the second shipment from Singapore, which is expected to arrive later this afternoon.

The support activities have focused on meeting people’s essential needs, including providing tools for collecting clean water, water filters, medicines, medical supplies, and personal items. Regarding cash assistance, Deputy Minister Hiep noted that part of the funds has already been directly distributed to households, while the remainder is undergoing final administrative procedures.

“We are committed to completing the allocation of all cash support within November, benefiting around 34,000 households, each receiving between 3 to 5 million VND (approximately USD 120-200), to help them quickly stabilize their lives,” he said.

To further support recovery and build back better, the Deputy Minister expressed his hope that international partners and organizations will continue assisting localities in developing commune-level disaster prevention and control plans, strengthening the capacity of rapid response teams, supporting the restoration of public infrastructure, enhancing early warning systems, and promoting international cooperation in disaster management.

Speaking at the Recognition Ceremony, United Nations Resident Coordinator Pauline Tamesis affirmed that the event was an opportunity to honor the solidarity and compassion of international partners who have supported Viet Nam in overcoming the aftermath of Typhoons Bualoi and Matmo. She emphasized, “We stand together with families and communities affected by disasters - today and in the difficult days that follow.”

“With the early development of the Joint Response Plan (JRP), Viet Nam has taken a proactive and coordinated approach, focusing on the urgent needs of its people such as clean water, sanitation, health care, shelter, livelihoods, and education. I highly appreciate the strong commitment and close collaboration among the Government, the United Nations, bilateral partners, and non-governmental organizations. Together, we can achieve much more when we act as One,” she said.

She also called on Viet Nam to continue investing in early warning systems, strengthening community resilience, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the process of recovery and development.

At the ceremony, participants shared their experiences in mobilizing and providing resources to support Vietnamese people affected by the heavy rains and floods caused by typhoons Bualoi and Matmo. They also reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, as well as other ministries, agencies, and local authorities in Vietnam, in disaster prevention and response.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep presented tokens of appreciation from the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership to embassies and representatives of international organizations that contributed to post-typhoon relief efforts for the Vietnamese people.

The Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership (DRRP) currently has 32 member organizations, including three ministries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with 29 international organizations. The Partnership was established on October 12, 2019, with the approval of the Government and verification by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep serves as the Chair of the Partnership, while United Nations Resident Coordinator Pauline Tamesis serves as Co-Chair.