The US Embassy in Vietnam on October 7 announced an additional $500,000 for typhoon-hit central Vietnam.

This grant will be supplied via the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and responds to the call from the International Red Cross to assist Vietnamese typhoon victims. The total grant from the US is now $600,000.

The Vietnam Red Cross has also called for the international community to offer urgent relief with a fund of $4.75 million made up of cash and goods for 500,000 families severely affected by the typhoon.

Ketsana entered the central region on September 29, devastating 12 provinces in the central region and the Central Highlands, particularly Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Kon Tum.

According to the National Steering Board for Flood and Storm Control, typhoon Ketsana killed 163 people, injuring 629 and left 11 others missing. Over 21,600 houses have collapsed and a further 258,000 are damaged and 294,700 flooded. It also caused losses in agriculture and aquaculture totaling over 14 trillion dong ($777.8 million).

In latest news, flash floods suddenly hit Binh Thuan province on October 7, sweeping away one man while two others were also reported missing. Meanwhile downpours in upstream Luy River have caused serious flooding for several communes in the province.

PV