WHO supports one million water disinfection tablets for flood-affected areas

With strong winds, heavy rains, floods, and landslides affecting millions of people in northern provinces, at least 325 people have died or are missing, along with hundreds more injured and thousands of households forced to relocate. The storm also destroyed 130,000 homes and hundreds of medical facilities.

In many areas, the storm disrupted essential water supplies for households and health facilities, as flooding, landslides, strong winds, and fallen trees damaged water and power infrastructure, a devastating event that could take weeks or even longer to repair and restore.

Dr. Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Vietnam, said: “We are deeply saddened that the death toll continues to rise and that many more people remain at risk from the aftermath of the storm and floods. As part of WHO’s efforts to support the Government in responding to the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, WHO urgently transported and delivered one million water sterilization tablets and 500 water containers to the Ministry of Health yesterday.”

According to Dr. Angela Pratt, the water purification tablets and containers are expected to be shipped to the hardest-hit areas as early as today.

This contribution will help provide approximately 15 million liters of clean water, ensuring a safe drinking water supply for households and healthcare facilities in the eight most severely affected provinces and cities: Bac Giang, Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, and Yen Bai , for many days and weeks to come.

Dr. Pratt stated that clean water is crucial to help prevent waterborne and foodborne illnesses, to help healthcare facilities continue to operate safely, and to maintain patient care, whether it's for those injured in storms and floods, or those requiring daily emergency healthcare.

Transporting water purification tablets to the most severely affected areas.

Mr. Duong Duc Thien, Chief of the Office of the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of the Ministry of Health, said that in light of the serious damage and destruction caused by Typhoon Yagi, the Ministry of Health has officially requested international assistance. We are very grateful for the support of reliable partners such as the WHO to assist us in our immediate response and long-term recovery efforts.

WHO, along with other United Nations agencies, participated in joint assessment teams deployed in coordination with the Government to better understand the extent of the damage, assess needs, and ensure the availability of targeted support.

WHO is also working closely with local and central authorities to monitor and prevent foodborne and waterborne diseases and other infectious diseases in the coming weeks and months, while continuing to support governments in mobilizing additional necessary resources.

In addition, with support from USAID, WHO is working with government partners to broadcast safety messages in multiple minority languages ​​through local radio stations and community loudspeakers to help ensure that minority communities, especially in remote areas, receive important health and safety information.

Dr. Pratt added: “The WHO is working closely with the Government and is committed to continuing to support response and recovery efforts in every way possible.”

Source: https://nhandan.vn/who-ho-tro-mot-trieu-vien-khu-trung-nuoc-cho-vung-bi-bao-lu-post830732.html