Hanoi (VNA) - The European Union (EU)announced on October 28 that it would provide 1.3 million EUR (over 1.5 millionUSD) to bring “critical humanitarian assistance to families affected by severeflooding” in central Vietnam.
The region has suffered historic flooding from prolonged downpours andsuccessive typhoons since early this month, which had by October 25 resulted in130 deaths and 18 missing persons.
At least 1.3 million people in the region have been affected, and on October 28a powerful typhoon continued to lash the region, with more damage and lossesexpected.
Serious damage to transport infrastructure has been reported, while nearly tenthousand hectares of crops and nearly a million cattle and poultry have beenlost in the floods.
“This contribution underlines our solidarity with the people of Vietnam, manyof whom have suffered the loss of homes, livelihoods and belongings in the wakeof the devastating floods,” said Olivier Brouant, who oversees the EU’shumanitarian response in the Mekong region, in a press statement.
“The EU funding will support our humanitarian partners in deliveringlife-saving assistance to the most vulnerable, ensuring they have enough meansto get through this difficult time.”
The EU said the funding included the distribution of hygiene kits and otheressential relief items “while ensuring access to drinking water, sanitationfacilities and the promotion of good hygiene practices,” in addition to cashtransfers for people to use to buy essential goods.
“Special attention will be placed on the most vulnerable and marginalisedgroups, including female-headed households and people with disabilities,” thestatement said./.