Typhoon Molave hits Vietnam after a month of flooding and landslides
One of the most powerful storms to hit Vietnam in two decades, Typhoon Molave, has battered the coastline and caused heavy rains, serious flooding, and destroyed the homes of millions of people in the south central region.
ActionAid Vietnam, working with local partners, is preparing to distribute food, water purification tablets and essential items, such as sanitary products and hygiene kits, to families whose homes have been destroyed by the deadly storm.
Hoang Phuong Thao, executive director of ActionAid Vietnam, says:
“Typhoon Molave is causing further death and destruction in Vietnam, after communities have already had their lives and livelihoods torn apart by the worst flooding we’ve seen in decades.
“Families are showing remarkable resilience, but there is urgent need for more funding and support to provide emergency food, water and shelter for the most vulnerable.”
The storm hit as ActionAid and its partner, Aid for Social Protection Programme Foundation (AFV), are already working with communities in the north central region devastated by catastrophic flooding throughout October.
Women and girls are most at risk during disasters and humanitarian crises, ActionAid’s emergency teams are being led by local women and are targeting support to the most vulnerable.
Typhoon Molave slammed into Vietnam on Wednesday, with winds of up to 150km per hour, causing at least three deaths and two fishing boats to go missing. A statement by the National Committee for Disaster Management said at least 7 million people have lost their homes.
The storm comes after Vietnam has faced unprecedented climate disasters throughout October, with the worst flooding in 40 years and several deadly mudslides.
Heavy rains caused by storms Linfa and Nangka throughout October have caused severe flooding, landslides and flash floods in the Central Region and Central Highlands, particularly the provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien – Hue and Quang Nam.
At least 130 people have been killed as heavy rains and flooding tore through homes, health centres, schools and submerged paddy fields and farmland.
ActionAid is working with its partner AFV to get children back to school and rebuild houses that were destroyed in heavy rains and flooding.
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For more information and interviews contact jenna.pudelek@actionaid.org or call +447795642990.