Helping All Around the World

INTERNATIONAL SERVICES ACTIVITY UPDATE

Millions of people in countries across the globe are experiencing devastating disasters that have taken their homes, their livelihoods, and tragically for some, their loved ones. This International Services Activity Update provides a brief snapshot of significant international disasters that the American Red Cross is currently monitoring or responding to.

VIETNAM – TYPHOON YAGI
Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City in Vietnam in September of last year, the strongest typhoon striking Vietnam in the past 30 years with more than 124 mph winds.

(Hurricanes and typhoons are the same type of storm but are called different names depending on their location: hurricanes form in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, while typhoons form in the western Pacific.)

Torrential rain battered the entire northern region, with a population of 19 million, causing major floods, landslides and extensive damage to people and property. In total, 26 provinces were affected nationwide, with three provinces – Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang and Yen Bai – declaring a state of emergency.

Northern Vietnam is a mountainous area and poor shelter conditions often leave the population more vulnerable to typhoon damage.

The storm resulted in more than 300 deaths and nearly 2,000 injuries. In addition to the tragic human toll, the estimated infrastructural damage was approximately $3 billion – making this the costliest disaster on record in Vietnam. The damages reported by government agencies include 284,000 homes that were damaged or destroyed, and 708,000 acres of rice fields and 156,000 acres of other crops and vegetables affected. Nearly 45,000 cattle were lost during the typhoon, along with over 5.7 million poultry.

Transportation, communication, market, and water supply facilities were severely affected by flooding and landslides in the wake of the typhoon. Additionally, schools, offices, and public buildings sustained roof damage, and telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile broadcasting stations and poles, were heavily impacted. An estimated 2,350 schools were damaged, disrupting the education of two million children, along with essential services such as food assistance programs for students.

The Vietnam Red Cross (VNRC) mobilized emergency teams to deliver both immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts in the hardest-hit provinces. The immediate focus was on search, rescue, and relief activities such as the distribution of food and essential household items, multi-purpose cash grants, and shelter and livelihood support through cash-based assistance.

For the recovery phase, VNRC aims to rebuild schools, repair community health facilities, and strengthen resilience through community-based health and livelihood programs. The American Red Cross has contributed $112,500 to the IFRC emergency appeal to assist the Vietnam Red Cross with cash and voucher assistance.