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Viet Nam

UNICEF Viet Nam Humanitarian Situation Report No. 6 (Typhoon Yagi and Response and Recovery) - 18 December 2024

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SITUATION IN NUMBERS*

320 dead, 25 missing, 1,978 injured.

4 million children live in the most affected 14 provinces.

570,000 people with disrupted access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

220,000 children under five and about 70,000 pregnant and lactating women are at risk of malnutrition.

830,000 students in the worst-affected areas experienced a loss of 60 - 120 hours of learning.

More than 100,000 children face heightened protection risks such as neglect and distress, violence and other harmful practices.

*Viet Nam Multisector Assessment, United Nations Viet Nam Joint Response Plan.

Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs

  • In early September 2024, Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm in Viet Nam in 70 years, caused extensive, multifaceted damage to life, infrastructure, economic livelihoods, accommodation, social services and social life in 14 of the most affected provinces. Three months after the typhoon children and families in affected areas still face acute deprivations and risks.
  • Health and water systems remain damaged, denying 570,000 people access to safe drinking water and clean sanitation, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and interruptions to routine immunization.
  • About 220,000 children under five and 70,000 pregnant and lactating women remain at risk of malnutrition due to disrupted health and other services, food shortages and lack of clean water.
  • Over 830,000 children in the worst-affected areas experienced a loss of 60-120 hours of learning and are being impacted by the damage to school infrastructure and learning materials. Disruptions of education in typhoon-affected regions, which already have lower learning outcomes, are increasing existing disparities, especially among ethnic minority children.
  • Loss of livelihoods and displacement leave an estimated 365,000 families in acute need of cash support to cover basic needs. With high prevailing poverty rates in northern mountainous areas - home to ethnic minorities - the typhoon has further exacerbated vulnerabilities of children and families in precarious situations.
  • Due to displacement and compounded economic and psychological stressors on individuals and families, more than 100,000 children face heightened child protection risks - such as neglect, distress, violence, and harmful practices, including child labour and child marriage. Gender-based violence risks prevail for women and girls.
  • UNICEF and partners continue delivering assistance to the most vulnerable families in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, nutrition, education, child protection and social protection and support ongoing recovery efforts. In Lao Cai province, 1,221 people (260 families) received humanitarian cash assistance.
  • UN partners, including UNICEF, the European Union, and the Government, conducted the Viet Nam Multisectoral Assessment (VMSA), a post-disaster assessment launched on 10 December. Guided by the VMSA, UNICEF will support recovery-targeted efforts in WASH, nutrition, education, social, and child protection and strengthen resilience.