Mobilizing international resources to overcome disaster consequences

Thousands of people benefit from support projects

On the afternoon of April 8, in Cao Bang province, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep worked with local authorities on efforts to overcome the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi (locally known as Storm No. 3). Attending the meeting were Mr. Ito Naoki – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam; Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Van Thach; and representatives of UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Vietnam.

According to the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee, in implementation of the emergency aid document to support the province in overcoming the consequences of Typhoon Yagi on children and women (funded by UNICEF and approved under Decision No. 1809/QD/UBND dated December 20, 2024), the province has organized child protection training for 90 officials and civil servants directly working with children. Communication training sessions were held at three primary and secondary schools in Hong Tri, Kim Cuc, and Hung Dao communes of Bao Lac district. A plan is also being developed to conduct communication training in the remaining districts, expected to be completed by the end of April 2025, with an estimated 2,600 children to benefit.

In addition, psychosocial support was provided to parents, women, and girls in the community through group activities, guiding parents on psychosocial care for themselves and their children, and helping women and girls build capacity for disaster recovery and response, including staff training. The project also distributed 3,400 essential kits to families with children in four districts severely affected by storms and floods: Bao Lam, Bao Lac, Nguyen Binh, and Ha Quang.

According to the Department of Water Works Management and Construction (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), currently, only 19.33% of the population in Cao Bang have access to clean water. This figure is significantly lower than the national coverage rate of 55%. Regarding access to sanitation, 74.8% of the population uses hygienic latrines, lower than the national average of more than 80%.

Typhoon Yagi caused serious damage to the water supply and sanitation system in Cao Bang province in 2024. Implementing the emergency support and early recovery project for clean water and sanitation for provinces affected by the disaster, Cao Bang received supplies of with 1,000-liter water tanks for 420 households, schools and medical stations, benefiting more than 2,000 people; repairing clean water and sanitation equipment, installing RO water filtration systems in 12 schools with 3,680 beneficiaries. The province also received ceramic water filters for households, schools and medical stations with nearly 450 bottles, benefiting 2,200 people; supporting more than 670 sets of hygiene tools, benefiting 2,420 people. In addition, training and communication, instructions on use and preservation of clean water and sanitation equipment, and practice of personal hygiene behaviors with 10,800 beneficiaries...

Implementing the Document "International emergency aid to assist northern provinces to overcome severe damage caused by typhoon Yagi and floods" sponsored by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (previously Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) in Decision No. 314 QD-BNN-HTQT dated January 15, 2025, at the household level, with the support of the Government of Japan, the project has distributed 1,100 boxes of essential household goods to households in 8 communes of 4 districts of Cao Bang with a total of nearly 5,000 people reached, including nearly 1,100 ethnic minorities.

At the community level, an evacuation center/community shelter is being constructed in Ban Choi hamlet, Dinh Phung commune, Bao Lac district. This area one of the most disadvantaged and disaster-prone areas in the western part of Cao Bang province. The project is valued at VND 1.55 billion, funded by the Japanese Government. In normal times, the center will serve as a venue for community activities, meetings, entertainment, and other communal purposes. In the event of a natural disaster or emergency, it will serve as a safe shelter for at least 150 people, fully equipped with electricity, water, and necessary functions. In addition, the support package also provides essential equipment for the commune-level emergency response team.

Implementing projects to enhance disaster recovery

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep expressed his gratitude to Mr. Ito Naoki – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam – as well as to international agencies and organizations in Vietnam for their continued support in helping several localities recover from the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi. He emphasized that the consequences of such disasters cannot be addressed immediately but require sustained, long-term efforts. In particular, the Japanese Government was among the first to announce and extend support to people affected by natural disasters. Thanks to this timely assistance, communities have gradually overcome the damage, daily life has basically returned to normal, and essential needs have been secured.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep expressed hope that international agencies and organizations would continue strengthening cooperation in the field of disaster prevention, especially through efforts to connect and attract private investment in this area. At the same time, he proposed that Mr. Ito Naoki and international agencies and organizations continue to pay attention to, support, and assist Cao Bang province in particular, and Vietnam in general, in implementing projects to enhance resilience to disasters, including the construction of evacuation centers and safe shelters to minimize future losses.

Ambassador Ito Naoki stated that the Japanese Government has ongoing programs to support Vietnam, including several large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at reducing disaster risks and addressing climate change. These are expected to be implemented in more than 10 provinces. He also expressed his hope that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Vietnamese side would facilitate the development of necessary procedures so that the Japanese Government can deliver timely support.

Representatives of UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Vietnam expressed their sympathy for the families affected by the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi and appreciated the positive progress in overcoming the consequences of the storm and flood. At the same time, they affirmed that there has been very close coordination between relevant agencies of Vietnam as well as Cao Bang province, contributing to enhancing resilience to natural disasters. Based on the achieved results, representatives of UNICEF and the IOM in Vietnam hope to develop better projects and programs in the future.

Regarding support programs in Cao Bang province, Vice Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Van Thach affirmed that the province will accompany and direct relevant agencies to coordinate effectively with donors and international organizations. This mutual effort will ensure Northern provinces overcome damage caused by Typhoon Yagi, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulations.