Over 30 international partners hold an urgent meeting on disaster recovery measures

On the afternoon of October 9, the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership (DRRP) convened an emergency meeting to share information on post-storm flooding and develop a rapid damage and recovery needs assessment plan. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep, aimed to update the current disaster situation in northern and central regions, discuss rapid damage assessment plans, and enhance coordination in response efforts.

The United Nations delegation was led by Ms. Pauline Tamesis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam.

Disasters overwhelmed people’s resilience

In 2025, Viet Nam experienced 20 types of natural disasters occurring in rapid succession, with severe and unusual patterns that surpassed historical records and affect large areas.

"The Government and local communities have made great efforts to overcome a series of storms in 2025, but now some impacts have gone beyond the people’s capacity to endure," Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep said in his opening remarks.

As of 11:00 a.m. on October 9, disasters across the country had left 238 people dead or missing and 367 injured. Nearly 260,000 houses were damaged or had their roofs blown off; about 556,000 hectares of rice, crops, and other plants were flooded or destroyed; over 15,000 livestock and nearly 1.45 million poultry were killed or swept away; and more than 40,000 hectares of aquaculture areas were affected. The unofficial estimated damage is nearly 34 trillion VND.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), recent storms have been characterized by rapid movement, strong intensity, and unpredictable developments. Notably, they have occurred out of season: some making landfall unusually early, while others, such as Typhoon Ragasa and Typhoon Matmo, directly affected the northern region late in the year.

Many areas have been continuously hit by successive disasters, creating a situation of "storm upon storm, flood upon flood," accompanied by flash floods and landslides, especially in the northern mountainous and midland provinces as well as the north-central region.

Heavy rains and widespread flooding have posed serious threats to transport safety, dike systems, and reservoirs, including many structures that had only been temporarily repaired after previous incidents. Notably, within just 13 days (from September 22 to October 3), three consecutive typhoons, which are Ragasa, Bualoi, and Matmo, formed in the East Sea, with their remnants continuing to bring prolonged heavy rains and severe flooding.

Human losses this year amount to 47% compared to the same period in 2024, while economic damages are around 37% of last year’s level. In 2024, disasters claimed 501 lives and caused estimated economic losses of 90.3 trillion VND. All damaged houses required complete restoration.

5 priority recommendations from the United Nations

On behalf of the United Nations in Viet Nam, Resident Coordinator Pauline Tamesis extended her deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones and to the provinces suffering severe destruction.

"At this moment, I would like to make a heartfelt appeal: we must join hands to provide urgent support to the hardest-hit communities. Many families have lost their homes, livelihoods, and even loved ones. Our collective action can be a lifeline for those struggling with the aftermath of these disasters," Ms. Tamesis said.

According to Ms. Pauline Tamesis, the United Nations has always supported Viet Nam's efforts to strengthen early preparedness and disaster response capacity. However, during the restructuring process, some facilities and previous disaster management experiences have been disrupted, raising the question of how to coordinate more effectively with communities, particularly vulnerable groups.

The United Nations is committed to mobilizing resources aligned with the Government’s priorities and implementing swift actions to meet urgent needs, with UNICEF, WHO, and IOM serving as key lead agencies. She added that lessons learned from the response to Typhoon Yagi will continue to inform future coordination and preparedness efforts.

Ms. Tamesis highlighted five key points. First, disaster relief efforts require strong leadership from the Government, particularly MAE and local authorities. Second, it is essential to ensure clear communication channels and effective coordination mechanisms among all stakeholders.

Third, within the DRRP framework, resource mobilization information must be regularly updated, especially through platforms like Zalo at the provincial and remote-area levels, while also strengthening information management capacity and infrastructure. Fourth, a joint response plan between the UN and its partners, based on sectoral priorities such as agriculture, health, education, and clean water, should ensure unified coordination.

Finally, drawing on lessons from Typhoon Yagi, the UN emphasized the importance of listening to affected communities and improving procurement and distribution of essential supplies through enhanced coordination with the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA).

"Let us harness the strength of this partnership to bring real change to the lives of those affected by the floods. Together, we can respond effectively, build resilience, and support communities in recovery," Ms. Tamesis affirmed.

Representatives from international organizations, embassies, and humanitarian agencies contributed to the rapid response planning. According to Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam, the post-disaster emergency once again reminds us of the importance of investing in disaster preparedness and response, risk reduction, and resilience building.

In his closing remarks, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized that the Government will soon introduce policies and mechanisms for recovery and reconstruction following the historic typhoons Bualoi and Matmo. "Children must be able to return to school, health stations must be restored quickly, and public offices must resume operations to serve as anchors of stability for affected communities," he stated.

The Deputy Minister also directed that on October 10, VDDMA officers will form three field assessment teams to survey areas affected by storm and flood: Tuyen Quang-Phu Tho, Cao Bang-Lang Son, and Bac Ninh-Thai Nguyen. He called on international partners to assign officers to join these missions and help deliver rapid needs assessments by early next week.

MAE called for the highest level of solidarity and support. In the immediate term, priority should be given to essential items such as food, clean water, disinfectants, and materials and tools for house repairs, as well as supplies and equipment to restore livelihoods, crops, and year-end production.