Vietnam Calls for International Support to Recover from Severe Natural Disasters

The Vietnamese government has appealed for international assistance to help communities recover from recent devastating natural disasters that have caused heavy losses across the country, reducing national GDP by an estimated 0.2%.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday with more than 20 international organizations and embassies — members of the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership (DRRP) — to share updates and seek coordinated support.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep said Vietnam has faced 20 different types of natural disasters so far this year, including 11 storms (six making landfall) and four tropical depressions, leaving 238 people dead and nearly 400 injured.

“Economic damage is preliminarily estimated at VND 35 trillion (US$1.3 billion),” Hiep said. “This represents about half the losses seen in 2024, but the scale and frequency of this year’s disasters are highly unusual.”

Record Floods and Widespread Destruction

In northern provinces such as Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, and Bac Ninh, floodwaters following Typhoon Matmo have submerged hundreds of thousands of homes. In Thai Nguyen alone, more than 200,000 houses were flooded, while flood levels on the Cau River reached 29.9 meters — surpassing the 2024 historic record by more than a meter.

Nationwide, over 30,000 hectares of crops have been damaged, 2,280 livestock and 357,000 poultry lost, and key transport routes cut off. The Hanoi–Dong Dang railway line has been suspended, while 217,000 households remain without electricity.

“Beyond People’s Capacity to Endure”

“Despite great efforts from both the government and citizens, the scale of damage this year has exceeded the people’s capacity to endure,” Hiep said. He urged international partners to provide urgent supplies such as clean water, food, filtration equipment, and materials to help rebuild homes and restore livelihoods.

UN Resident Coordinator Pauline Tamesis called for an emergency response, stressing that “many families have lost their homes, livelihoods, and even loved ones.” She emphasized that “collective action can make the difference for those struggling in the aftermath.”

Following Typhoon Yagi in 2024, Vietnam’s international partners contributed US$25 million in aid and thousands of tons of relief goods. Authorities hope for similar solidarity as the country confronts this latest wave of climate-related disasters.