Promoting Women's Leadership in Disaster Recovery

(PLVN) - In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi, one of the most severe storms to hit Vietnam in recent decades, caused extensive damage across 26 provinces, killing 345 people, destroying the homes of more than 120,000 families, damaging more than 800 medical facilities and affecting 3.6 million people. High winds, floods and landslides disrupted or destroyed critical infrastructure including roads, medical facilities and communications.

According to information from UN Women in Vietnam, 10 months after Typhoon Yagi made landfall in northern Vietnam, United Nations (UN) agencies together with the Australian Government recently visited disaster-affected communities in Lao Cai province to better understand how international aid is supporting ongoing recovery efforts.

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, UN agencies and development partners launched a joint response plan funded by the Australian Government to support humanitarian needs and early recovery through June 2025. The plan focuses on the most vulnerable groups, including the poor and near-poor, pregnant and lactating women, ethnic minority communities, children, older people, people with disabilities and displaced people, and especially those in the worst-affected provinces of Cao Bang , Lao Cai and Yen Bai.

On June 3-4, 2025, UN agencies and partners, together with officials from the Ministry of Health, visited Bat Xat district, so that through this visit, UN agencies could use lessons learned to enhance multi-sectoral support to the Government and people of Vietnam in future emergencies.

Source UN Women

“Due to gender barriers and inequalities, women are often the hardest hit by disasters – facing higher risks of casualties, loss of jobs and livelihoods, and longer recovery processes,” said Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Viet Nam. “In response, UN Women has collaborated with the Lao Cai Women’s Union to implement women-led preparedness and recovery initiatives, including cash transfers and livelihood recovery support for 600 disadvantaged women’s households in four communes.

At the same time, 12 safe spaces have been established to support women and girls’ psychological recovery and strengthen protection in areas affected by Typhoon Yagi and other climate-related disasters. Through a comprehensive approach – combining financial support, technical assistance and community capacity building – we aim to promote women’s leadership in disaster recovery and ensure that no one is left behind.”

According to UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam, Mr. Matt Jackson: “In the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, the most vulnerable groups, including women, girls, older people and people with disabilities, have suffered the most. UNFPA stands with the Government of Viet Nam and partners to ensure that sexual and reproductive health services, prevention of gender-based violence and the protection of human dignity are not overlooked, even in times of crisis. Recovery must be inclusive, human rights-based and focused on those most in need.”

“As we see the impact our support has had in restoring and strengthening essential services for children and families affected by the storm, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all partners who have supported our response and continue to strengthen our long-term efforts, focusing on strengthening disaster preparedness and climate resilience. These efforts are vital to ensuring that every child is protected from the impacts of climate disasters,” said Nguyen Thi Duyen, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist.

Source UN Women.

According to Dr Angela Pratt, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Vietnam, the visit helped to better understand the health care needs of the community, and the desire to support in any way possible. ““We will focus on helping to increase the resilience of health facilities, as climate change will undoubtedly bring more extreme weather conditions in the future,” said Dr Angela Pratt.

“I believe that the support from UN agencies, UN Women, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA is very practical, contributing to helping people stabilize their lives after storms and floods, and restore their livelihoods. On the local government side, we are committed to continuing to effectively implement projects and programs,” emphasized Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh, Vice Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee.

Hong Minh

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/thuc-day-vai-tro-lanh-dao-cua-phu-nu-trong-qua-trinh-phuc-hoi-sau-tham-hoa-thien-tai-post550848.html