New Zealand announces NZ$1 million contribution to support Viet Nam's recovery from Yagi consequences

The aid will be channelled through New Zealand's NGO disaster response partners active in Viet Nam and the United Nations agencies in Viet Nam, focusing on emergency response and livelihood restoration.

In a letter addressed to Viet Nam's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Rt. Hon. Winston Peters wrote: "The New Zealand Government conveys its deepest condolences to the victims of Typhoon Yagi in Northern Viet Nam. The thoughts of all New Zealanders are with the people affected and the emergency services staff at the forefront of the ongoing response. New Zealand looks forward to leveraging the various strands of our relationship to strengthen Viet Nam's recovery and future resilience to such catastrophic events".

New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Caroline Beresford, said: "As a strategic partner of Viet Nam, New Zealand stands in solidarity with the Vietnamese government and people during this extremely challenging time. We hope our support will swiftly reach those in need, contributing to emergency efforts and helping affected communities rebuild their lives."

Yagi was the most powerful typhoon in the East Sea over the past 30 years, and the most powerful to hit mainland Viet Nam in 70 years.

The super typhoon and its aftermath have wreaked havoc across northern Viet Nam.

As of September 15, typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm hitting Viet Nam this year, left 350 people dead and missing, and other 2,000 people injured in northern Viet Nam.

The initially estimated economic damage has reached VN40 trillion (US$1.6 trillion), according to Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

Previously, the Governments of Australia, the U.S., Japan, Switzerland, the South Korea, UK and India also joined hand to support Viet Nam overcome the consequences of typhoon Yagi./.