Vietnam thanks international organisations for disaster relief in central region

At the meeting, representatives of the international organisations expressed their sympathy for the losses suffered by people in the central provinces and affirmed that they will accompany the Vietnamese government in calling for support from other international organisations to help with disaster relief.

Rana Flowers, the UNICEF chief in Vietnam, said that the agency has raised US$160,000 in emergency funding for clean water, personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, healthcare, nutrition and education.

Noting the success of a programme to build 3,200 safe houses in flood-prone regions, the UNDP representative stated that it will continue working with the Green Climate Fund and the ADB to implement similar programmes worth US$30 million to help Vietnamese people cope with natural disasters.

In the meantime, Andrew Jeffries, head of the ADB in Vietnam, stated that the bank is considering a US$3 million support package after a quick survey of the damage and relief needs of the people in central Vietnam.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung thanked the support of international organisations, helping Vietnam deal with the huge losses caused by the recent flooding.

He emphasised that their support has helped Vietnam enhance its capacity in coping with natural disasters and quickly rebuild the lives and livelihoods of those hit by disasters.

Dung noted that in addition to emergency relief, international organisations should collaborate with ministries, agencies and local authorities to work out well-designed long-term support programmes.

As rains and floods are forecast to persist, the Deputy PM affirmed that the Vietnamese government will do their best to help people overcome difficulties while calling for the continued assistance of international organisations so that people can quickly return to normal life.