LookAtVietnam – The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has offered assistance to typhoon victims in Viet Nam.

The typhoon, which struck central Viet Nam last Tuesday, caused 159 people dead, 15 others missing and a huge amount of property losses.

The visit was part of ASEAN’s efforts to support countries affected by Ketsana, as well as quake victims in Indonesia.

The leaders of the ministries and the VFFCC valued Sisouvong’s visit, and said that it was an act of unity and mutual support among ASEAN member countries.

They also informed the Deputy Secretary General of the damages caused by the storm in Viet Nam’s central area, as well as Government and people’s relief efforts.

Sisouvong affirmed that the official report concerning the losses and damages that incurred because of the storm losses would be sent to ASEAN member countries. He also stressed the need to have an effective system to share information and exchange technology among ASEAN members in order to prevent and combat the effects of natural disasters.

He informed the host that ASEAN has set up an emergency relief fund, called the “ASEAN Co-operation Fund for Emergency Relief” to mobilise and receive donations from member countries, ASEAN’s partners and sponsors.

Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an emergency appeal yesterday to raise 4.9 million Swiss francs (US$4.75 million) to assist Typhoon Ketsana and flood victims in Viet Nam.

Missing

The typhoon, which struck central Viet Nam last Tuesday, caused 159 people dead, 15 others missing and a huge amount of property losses.

The emergency aid will be used to support the Vietnamese Red Cross Society in assisting 50,000 families (approximately 210,000 people) from now to the end of next September.

According to the Viet Nam Red Cross, relief activities will focus on the provision of cooking and non-food items, the improvement of water and sanitation facilities for evacuated and returning families, and the repair and rebuilding of homes.

The society plans to provide 10 kilogrammes of rice per person a month for 50,000 families (210,000 people) in Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Kon Tum, Thua Thien Hue city, Dak Lak and Quang Tri provinces and Da Nang City.

Donors from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) yesterday began a three-day visit to Viet Nam to learn first-hand how the disaster-prone country is increasingly becoming more prepared for and resilient to typhoons, floods and earthquakes.

The visit is the first of its kind and the GFDRR said in a press release that the donors were scheduled to meet Government authorities, GFDRR and World Bank staff to discuss the impact of recent disasters in the region and ways to further support government initiatives for sustainable recovery and longer term reconstruction.

With the GFDRR’s support, a strategy is being implemented in the region, focused on supporting country-led disaster risk management programmes and investments.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News