Typhoon Damrey, which hit Vietnam’s central coast and central highlands early this month, has left more than 100 people dead or missing and damaged 115,000 houses, thousands of hectares of crops, and large portions of the electric grid.

Police forces of Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province help local people clean up houses and gardens. 

Two weeks after the storm, the government and functional agencies are working to help people recover their lives and production.

Since typhoon Damrey wrecked Vietnam’s central region, flood waters have been slow to recede, making relief and rescue work more difficult.

Representatives of Quang Ngai authorities visited the victims and deliver financial aid. Nguyen Tan Doi, President of the provincial Red Cross Society, said: “In addition to initial aid, we provided each family who lost a member US$198 and each injured person US$66. Families who lost their homes will receive US$660.”

Hundreds of soldiers and police personnel in Thua Thien-Hue have been mobilized for clean-up efforts.

Senior Lieutenant Phan Gia Linh from Regiment 6 said, “We are in charge of cleaning up public places and schools in communes and towns. We have also helped disadvantaged families repair their houses.”

Thua Thien-Hue province has received much support and relief aid from agencies and benefactors nationwide.

Tran Van Lang of O Sa hamlet was appreciative of the aid from the Petroleum Equipment Assembly and Metal Structure Company. He told VOV: “My house was inundated by the typhoon. There are only my wife and I in the family and we are both weak and ailing. I would like to thank the company for its support.”

Soldiers and military personnel of Thua Thien-Hue’s Military Command have been mobilized to help storm affected people recover their lives and production. 

The Vietnam Fatherland Front and Thua Thien-Hue authorities have given more US$150,000 in cash and kind for the affected people. Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Deputy President of Thua Thien Hue’s Fatherland Front, said: “We have allocated US$132,000 for flood victims, US$22 per family. We have also received cash and rice donated by benefactors far and near.”

Storm Damrey interrupted power and communications across Khanh Hoa province, hindering rescue and reconstruction efforts. With the assistance of 200 electricity workers from nearby provinces, 80% of Khanh Hoa’s customers have had their power restored. 

Nguyen Cao Ky, Director General of the Khanh Hoa Power Joint Stock Company, said, “We have erected temporary power poles to provide needed electricity, but this creates safety risks. People’s Committees at all levels should warn people about the risk.”

In addition to the relief activities of charitable organizations, localities are mobilizing forces to help supply safe water for people’s personal use to prevent an epidemic. 

VOV5