Irish Aid to support 40,000 people following Vietnam typhoons

Support from Irish Aid will provide clean drinking water to 40,000 people in Vietnam following a number of powerful typhoons to strike the north of the country.

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, today announced €250,000 in humanitarian aid to support UNICEF’s emergency response following Typhoon Bualoi and Typhoon Matmo, both of which struck the same area of the north of the country over recent weeks. The typhoons damaged over 545,000 homes and have affected over one million children and their families.

These were the latest in a series of powerful typhoons to strike northern and central Vietnam since July. The storms have caused significant damage to homes, businesses and farms, as well as to schools and health facilities.

Announcing the funding, Minister Richmond said support from Irish Aid will target the most vulnerable communities: “A series of typhoons in quick succession have devastated communities in the north and centre of Vietnam. It is going to take a significant amount of time to rebuild from the damage to people’s homes and livelihoods, as well as to schools, hospitals and vital infrastructure.

“Community wells and water sources in many rural areas have been completely destroyed, leading to a real risk of disease outbreaks due to a lack of clean drinking water. This funding from Ireland will allow UNICEF to provide clean water for 40,000 people as they work to get back on their feet.

“This funding will also support the Government of Vietnam’s work to help communities prepare for typhoons and other disasters. As well as supporting people’s immediate needs, it is important that we work to reduce their long-term vulnerability to these crises.”

Irish Aid has a long history of supporting people in Vietnam, both through emergency assistance and long-term development targeting people in marginalised and disadvantaged parts of the country. Today’s funding is being provided on foot of a call from the Government of Vietnam’s Office of the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership (DRRP). Ireland’s funding will be provided through Ireland’s Embassy in Hanoi.