US President Donald Trump arrives in Da Nang for APEC Economic Leaders' Week (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – US Ambassador to Vietnam DanielJ. Kritenbrink announced over 1 million USD in emergency assistance andlong-term disaster risk reduction support to Vietnam to respond to the impactsof Typhoon Damrey and future disasters on behalf of the US Government.
Typhoon Damrey made landfall in Vietnam on November 4 withwinds of up to 135 km/hour, 50 km south of Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa province), andbecame one of the worst storms to strike Vietnam’s southern coastal region inyears.
Following downpours and floods had claimed 89 lives and left18 mission and 174 others injured in central and Central Highlands localitiesas of November 7.
“With a grant of 250,000 USD in disaster relief funds, USAIDwill provide sanitation, health-related, and commodity relief items to theareas of Vietnam most affected by Typhoon Damrey,” said Ambassador Kritenbrink.
An additional disaster preparedness grant of 800,000 USD awardedlast month to the Vietnam National Red Cross will benefit approximately 13,700people directly and 30,000 people indirectly in three target provinces using acommunity-based approach to build capacity to prepare for and respond todisasters, he added.
Vietnam remains vulnerable to a host of weather-relatedrisks and climate change impacts. Typhoon Damrey clearly demonstrated theimportance of being prepared and able to effectively respond to disasters.
Since 2000, USAID’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistancehas provided more than 20 million USD to address emergency response needs anddisaster risk management activities in Vietnam. Through the Department ofDefense, the US Government has also provided more than 28 million USD since1998 to train military and civilian emergency responders and develop and equipdisaster management centers, maritime response centers, and disaster sheltersat the community level.-VNA
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