ADB grants US$2 million for Viet Nam’s Typhoon Yagi relief efforts
VGP - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday approved a US$2 million grant to assist the Vietnamese Government in providing emergency and humanitarian services to residents affected by Typhoon Yagi.
Typhoon Yagi causes severe floods in northern provinces of Viet Nam
ADB Country Director for Viet Nam Shantanu Chakraborty strongly commends the extraordinary efforts of the government and people of Viet Nam in responding to the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi.
This grant will support wider government efforts to deliver immediate humanitarian relief, he said, adding that ADB is also committed to working with the government on post-disaster recovery in the affected provinces to build back better and improve resilience, which is critical in the face of accelerating natural hazards.
The grant is funded by the Asia-Pacific Disaster Response Fund, which aims to provide support to ADB's developing member countries affected by major disasters triggered by natural hazards.
Typhoon Yagi, the strongest typhoon to hit Viet Nam in decades, made landfall on the northern coast of the country on September 7. As of September 24, 337 people have been killed or reported missing and 1,935 others injured.
The typhoon and subsequent flooding and landslides caused widespread damage in 26 provinces, with an estimated 37 million people living in the affected areas. Initial economic loss across the northern part of Viet Nam is estimated at US$2.6 billion.
ADB has been working with other development partners to support the government's response to the disaster, including assessing assistance needs in the affected northern provinces.
ADB's emergency assistance aims to help ensure that people living in disaster areas have access to basic medical and social services and resources to rebuild their lives and livelihoods and will continue to work closely with the government and other development partners to deliver humanitarian assistance in line with the UN's Resident Coordinator Disaster Response Plan.
As of September 18, an incomplete report indicated that the embassies of countries, UN organizations and other international organizations have committed over US$13 million in aid to Viet Nam. The country has also received 200 tons of supplies from Australia, Switzerland, India, Japan, ASEAN AHA, UNICEF and UNDP as well as Samaritan's Purse./.
