Hanoi (VNA) – Economic losses caused by natural disasters in Vietnam thisyear to September 27 had amounted to 5 trillion VND (over 215 million USD), itwas reported at a meeting held in the central province of Quang Binh on October8.
Themeeting, which was organized in response to the International Day for Disaster Reduction,also heard that natural disasters also caused the death or missing of 98 peoplein the period.
Sincethe beginning of this year, Vietnam has been hit by 248 thunderstorms, whirlwindsand torrential rains; five tropical storms on the East Sea; 13 flash floods and68 earthquakes, not to mention serious saline intrusion and erosion along riverbanks and sea dykes in the Mekong Delta.
Addressingthe meeting, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Red Cross (VRC)Nguyen Hai Anh said the VRC always considers natural disaster response one of itskey strategic missions. The VRC has dedicated most of its resources to thework, he said.
Accordingto Anh, the VRC has promoted communication campaigns to educate its chaptersand the public in how to prevent and respond to natural disasters. The associationalso participates in the evacuation of people, search and rescue work and aidprovision during times of disasters.
Lastyear, the VRC distributed aid worth more than 118 billion VND to disaster victims.The aid it provided so far this year has amounted to 136 billion VND./.