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Viet Nam

Viet Nam: Typhoon Yagi - Situation Update No. 2 (As of September 12, 2024)

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This report is produced by the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, in collaboration with humanitarian partners and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It covers the period from 9-12 September 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Five days after Typhoon Yagi struck northern Viet Nam, heavy and prolonged rains have raised river levels to dangerously high levels, triggering flooding and landslides in the northern parts of the country.
  • As search and rescue teams continue their efforts, the number of casualties as a result of Typhoon Yagi rose to 199 people and 128 people missing.
  • The typhoon displaced families, closed schools, disrupted healthcare, and increased the risk of waterborne diseases. Public infrastructure, including power lines, bridges and roads have also been severely impacted, cutting off remote communities.
  • Widespread power outages and communication disruptions are reported in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Hai Duong, and Hanoi (221 power sections of power lines damaged and over 5,305 power poles broken).
  • Authorities in Hanoi evacuated thousands of people living near the Red River as its waters rose to a 20-year high on 11 September, flooding parts of the capital.
  • The agriculture sector has also been impacted by the floods with impact on crops and livestock.
  • Authorities continue to review and assess damages, though some assessment teams report access constraints in mountainous areas.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has appealed to the international community to support in relief and recovery efforts. Several countries including Australia, Japan and USA have already responded with emergency supplies.

199 Fatalities

128 People missing

195K Hectares crops flooded

130K Houses damaged

438 Officers/soldiers mobilized

807 People injured

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Five days after Typhoon Yagi struck northern Viet Nam, the country is facing severe flooding and landslides as a result of heavy and prolonged rains. The typhoon and subsequent rains have led to significant damage in the northern regions and areas around the capital Hanoi. As of 12 September, at least 199 people are reported dead with 128 people missing. The number of casualties is likely to rise as first responders reach hard to reach or inaccessible mountainous areas. Authorities continue to search for missing people following the collapse of the Phong Chau Bridge in Phu Tho province, landslide in Phuc Khanh commune (Lao Cai) and others missing as a result of flooding, flash floods, and landslides.

On 11 September, river water levels reached Alarm Level 3 in the upper reaches of the Cầu, Lục Nam, Thao, Thương, Gâm, and Hoàng Long rivers, with water levels on the Thao River surpassing historical records resulting in flooding in the provinces of as Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Thái Nguyên, Bắc Giang, and Tuyên Quang. Landslides triggered by heavy rains caused further devastation, particularly in mountainous provinces north of the capital, where several homes were destroyed. To quell rising river levels, authorities are reducing the discharge in several hydroelectric dams and are implementing measures to ensure the safety of dikes, reservoirs, and areas downstream of the Red River and overall Thai Binh River system.

In Hanoi, authorities report that most districts, including the downtown and suburbs, were submerged under water, following rising water levels on the Red River (1.1 meters, highest level since 2004). This has been described as the worst flooding in decades by affected areas. In downtown Hoan Kiem District, soldiers were deployed to evacuate people on Hong Ha Street as floodwaters rose. Many schools in Hanoi remain closed, and access to essential services like fresh water and electricity remains disrupted in some areas. Across the country, an estimated 569 schools have been forced to close, cutting off children from education, vital support services, and critical food programs. In Soc Son District the situation remains dire, with over 3,300 families (15,700 people) cut off by flood waters from the Cau and Ca Lo rivers and 1,120 hectares of crops are inundated.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

The Government of Viet Nam is leading all humanitarian and recovery efforts following the typhoon and subsequent rains. On 9 September, the Prime Minister issued a Directive to provide emergency support of VND 100 billion (US$4 million) from the central reserve budget for 2024 to the five localities of Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Hai Duong, Yen Bai and Hung Yen for recovery efforts. This follows the request issued on the same day by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development calling for all organizations and individuals, both foreign and domestic, to support ongoing humanitarian relief efforts. According to authorities, the primary needs of those affected by both the typhoon and subsequent flooding remain food, NFIs, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), rebuilding material and cash support, with the mountainous, and already vulnerable areas pre-crisis, having the most needs.

On 10 September, the Prime Minister directed flood response efforts in Bac Giang Province and chaired a meeting with the Deputy Prime Ministers and province officials from Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, and Hanoi to identify flood risk reduction measures in areas downstream of the Thac Ba hydropower plant. The Deputy Prime Minister also inspected and directed flood response efforts in Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan, and Cao Bang, while the Deputy Prime Minister directed efforts in Yen Bai.

International governments and the humanitarian community are also mobilizing relief efforts. On 11 September, the Government of Australia delivered emergency relief supplies to the Government of Viet Nam, including essential provisions for families such as shelter and hygiene kits. This comes as Government of Japan announced it would be providing emergency relief goods (water purifier, and plastic sheets) through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

On 11 September, the U.S. Mission to Vietnam, through USAID, announced it was providing $1 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to humanitarian partners for the provision of multipurpose cash assistance, shelter, and WASH, as well as non-food items in support of Government of Vietnam-led disaster assistance efforts. On 12 September the Government of Australia followed, with its announcement of $3 million for humanitarian relief, emergency supplies and other essential services.

UN agencies are also preparing in country stocks as part of their response, with some requesting surge teams to support the anticipated response. The full extent of the required response and humanitarian needs is still to be determined pending complete official reports and results of the joint assessment teams. Though

planned for 10-11 September, assessment teams, particularly in the northern areas, are reporting delays due to access constraints, with one team only departing on 12 September. The assessment results and official reports will form the basis of the planned humanitarian response and provide the necessary information to launch a response plan and expected consolidated appeals plan.

HUMANITARIAN COORDINATION

Coordination of the response is being managed through the Vietnam Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership, which includes national authorities, international stakeholders, and local agencies. The partnership is focused on integrating efforts, ensuring that relief reaches the most affected populations efficiently. Regular coordination meetings and updates are being shared across platforms to enhance situational awareness and response effectiveness, with the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) committing to sharing information regularly every 24 hours.

The UN is activating its humanitarian coordination structure, with the first meeting of sector coordinators expected on 16 September to discuss response priorities and establish a monitoring system. On 17 September, a joint DRRP meeting is taking place for authorities to provide a situational update, the latest figures and the initial results of the joint needs assessments taking place. Humanitarian partners will seek to gain an understanding of Government priorities, gaps, and what is required to ensure the most affected and vulnerable are able to receive assistance. An intersector group meeting will follow and with the group likely to begin to meet weekly in Hanoi.

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