Japan contributes $1.5 million for emergency relief and disaster recovery.

UNICEF and IOM will receive this aid and provide essential services and relief to households affected by the recent storms and floods.

On December 15, the Japanese government announced a grant of US$1.5 million (approximately VND 39 billion) through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to strengthen emergency relief and early recovery efforts following natural disasters, as Vietnam is heavily affected by a series of tropical depressions, storms, and prolonged floods in 2025.

The Japanese government and IOM have begun construction of a community shelter. Photo: IOM.

Of the total aid, US$1 million will be allocated to IOM Vietnam to provide non-food items to more than 32,000 people in the provinces of Dak Lak , Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong, and to strengthen the search and rescue capacity of 20 local rescue teams, with the goal of assisting approximately 4,000 people.

The remaining US$500,000 will be deployed through UNICEF Vietnam to implement essential services related to clean water, personal hygiene, sanitation (WASH), repair of sanitation facilities, improvement of lighting systems in schools, and promotion of safety for women and girls, benefiting 20,000 affected people, including 14,000 children.

Speaking about this aid, Mr. ITO Naoki, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, said: "The Japanese government has decided to provide emergency humanitarian assistance worth US$1.5 million through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This assistance will be prioritized for the most severely affected provinces, including Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai , and Lam Dong."

Ambassador ITO Naoki, Japan's Ambassador to Vietnam, with the UNICEF Representative. Photo: IOM.

The Ambassador emphasized: "We hope that the emergency assistance from the Japanese people and government will quickly reach the affected people, contributing to mitigating the consequences of the storms and floods and supporting the early recovery of the disaster-stricken areas. At the same time, to minimize similar risks and damage in the future, Japan will also consider promoting technical cooperation through JICA, focusing on water resource management and infrastructure development in the central region."

Within the framework of the United Nations' Joint Response Plan, in coordination with the Government of Vietnam, IOM and UNICEF are focusing on supporting the most vulnerable groups, including families and children, among whom are temporarily displaced due to natural disasters.

"Children don't cause climate change, but they are the most severely affected group," said Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam. "As co-chair of the National Working Group on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), UNICEF is working with partners to restore access to clean water and safe sanitation for families and children affected by the recent storms. Timely support from Japan has enabled us to provide essential WASH services, protect children from disease risks, and support communities in strengthening their resilience to future climate shocks."

Japan's aid will contribute to promoting multi-sectoral coordination and strengthening efforts in the fields of health, education, and nutrition, in order to comprehensively meet the needs of affected children and families. Photo: IOM.

Japan and Vietnam have a long-standing cooperative relationship. In 2024, with the support of the Japanese Government, UNICEF Vietnam addressed the urgent needs for clean water, sanitation, and child protection for 35,000 people affected by Typhoon Yagi in the provinces of Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai.

In parallel with the support of the Japanese Government, IOM Vietnam has also provided essential relief packages to more than 17,000 vulnerable people, including women, girls, and people with disabilities. Six community shelters have been renovated and built in Lao Cai, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang for nearly 1,000 children and families in areas at high risk of flooding and landslides.

Ms. Kendra Rinas, Head of the IOM Mission in Vietnam, emphasized: "Based on Japan's rapid response experience, IOM will equip 20 community-based rescue teams with search and rescue equipment, contributing to strengthening readiness and ensuring a rapid response to natural disasters at the local level, and ensuring greater safety for vulnerable communities."

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/nhat-ban-dong-gop-15-trieu-usd-cuu-tro-khan-cap-phuc-hoi-thien-tai-d789526.html