Joining hands to rebuild after Typhoon Yagi: New shelter for the poor in Yen Bai

NDO - Thanks to the support of the Korean Government through the Early Recovery and Reconstruction Project after Typhoon Yagi implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and local authorities, people in difficult circumstances in Yen Bai have been able to have new, safe and solid homes before this year's storm season.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam Ramla Khalidi, and Vice Chairwoman of Yen Bai Provincial People's Committee Vu Thi Hien Hanh attended the inauguration ceremony of the new house of Ms. Bui Thi Tap, an elderly person in difficult circumstances in Yen Ninh Ward, Yen Bai City. Ms. Tap's house was completely collapsed due to landslides after super typhoon Yagi in 2024.

“That night, half of the hill collapsed and hit my roof. All that remained was the front wall of my house, and all the furniture and other things in the back were buried,” Ms. Tap recalled. “When I received this amount of money from organizations to build a door and a house, I felt very secure. Whether I had to go to the hospital or stay at home, I would have a good night’s sleep, without worrying about natural disasters, storms, floods or landslides like before,” Ms. Tap shared on the inauguration day of her new house.

Ms. Bui Thi Tap thanks the support of organizations and agencies to help her have a new, safe and solid home before this year's storm season. (Photo: UNDP)

Ms. Tap, who is over 70 years old, has cancer and relies on her husband’s pension, is one of thousands of poor households in the northern mountainous provinces that have benefited from the support to overcome the consequences of Typhoon No. 3 ( Yagi ). This is part of a joint effort between UNDP, development partners and the Government of Vietnam to help people quickly stabilize their lives after the natural disaster.

UNDP has coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the authorities of Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen and Ha Giang provinces to deploy emergency aid packages from CERF, UNHCR, the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to provide cash and essential supplies to more than 17,500 people, support the repair and construction of 350 new houses, build 9 small-scale public works such as village roads, bridges, stream embankments, schools, and support livelihood enhancement for 15 cooperatives and 158 businesses and households.

Typhoon No. 3 (Yagi) caused severe damage in 26 northern provinces in September 2024, leaving 345 people dead and missing, 283,000 houses damaged, and total economic losses of VND81,801 billion. Immediately after the storm, the international community pledged to provide more than 22 million USD in aid to Vietnam. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment received more than 220 tons of relief goods worth 2.3 million USD from countries and international organizations.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized: “The Vietnamese Government always puts people at the center of all policies to respond to natural disasters. Reconstruction after storms is not only about housing support but also about helping people have long-term stability and develop sustainable livelihoods. We are committed to continuing to work closely with international organizations to provide the most practical and effective support.”

UNDP is one of the United Nations agencies actively coordinating with the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention to implement 9 emergency aid projects worth a total of more than 4.49 million USD. The projects focus on 3 areas: emergency assistance, housing reconstruction and livelihood restoration for people in disaster areas.

Ms. Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Representative in Viet Nam, expressed her gratitude to Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep for promptly directing members of the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership (DRRP) in assessing life-saving essential needs, coordinating and planning responses, as well as mobilizing international solidarity to support affected households in the provinces.

“Rebuilding after a disaster is not just about rebuilding a house, but about restoring confidence and ensuring safety,” she said. “UNDP is committed to continuing to work with the Government and people of Viet Nam in finding comprehensive solutions, strengthening early warning capabilities and building greater resilience to future disasters.”

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chung-tay-tai-thiet-sau-bao-yagi-mai-am-moi-cho-nguoi-ngheo-o-yen-bai-post878762.html