On November 10, Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan issued a letter calling for cooperation in overcoming the consequences of storm No. 13, stabilizing people's lives, and accelerating socio-economic development in 2025.
The letter stated: "Storm No. 13 (Kalmaegi) - the strongest storm to hit the province in decades, with winds of level 10-12, gusts above level 14, moving rapidly, wide range of impact, risking especially serious damage to people's lives and property.
In such an urgent situation, the government and people of the province should not be passive or surprised: Activate "early, from afar, one level higher" plans and scenarios for natural disaster response; immediately establish a Forward Command Department to command, unify, and send leaders directly to the grassroots; armed forces are deployed to close in on people, close to vulnerable areas on duty duty 24/24.
Organized the largest and most complete evacuation history with over 90,000 households and over 300,000 people. In the midst of the storm, forces promptly rescued more than 200 people from collapsed houses and deeply flooded areas, and human losses were minimized.
This is not only the result of careful preparation, correct and accurate direction, scientific action, and quick action, but also a clear demonstration of the will and discipline of the Party Committee, government, armed forces, and the consensus and support of the People.
The storm has passed, but the damage to infrastructure and facilities is extremely severe: The whole province has hundreds of houses completely collapsed, tens of thousands of houses have had their roofs blown off and damaged; schools, hospitals, electricity, water, and communication systems were severely damaged; thousands of hectares of rice, crops, boats, and aquaculture cages were swept away.
Coastal areas, especially Quy Nhon - the largest urban area, the socio-economic center and the "pearl" of Gia Lai province, were honored as "ASEAN Clean Tourism Urban Area" and voted by Lonely Planet as one of the 25 most attractive destinations in 2026, now heavily damaged by the storm. The familiar, vibrant images of a livable city now give way to the scene of devastation, making every citizen feel heartbroken.
Up to now, thousands of households do not have safe housing, many essential infrastructure works are paralyzed, and people's lives are facing countless difficulties. At this time, more than ever, the whole province must join hands and hearts to act urgently and responsibly, so that no one is left behind".
The Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee called on the entire political system to focus on food, accommodation, clean water, medicine, stabilizing people's lives; immediately repairing essential infrastructure such as transportation, electricity, schools, hospitals, production facilities, etc.
The army and police continue to be frontline and shock forces, present in key areas, supporting the rebuilding of houses, opening traffic routes, transporting relief goods and maintaining security and order.
The business community inside and outside the province promotes the spirit of social responsibility, supports resources and means, contributes to restoring production, supports people, and helps the province overcome difficult times.
The ethnic people of Gia Lai province uphold the spirit of self-reliance, self-strengthening, solidarity to help each other repair houses, restore production, do not wait, do not rely on others; maintain environmental hygiene, prevent epidemics after storms, and soon stabilize their lives.
Quy Nhon urban area and damaged areas will be restored, will be more modern, safer, become a livable tourist urban area, richer in identity and competitiveness.
"This is not just a call, this is a responsibility to the people and an order to action. I believe that, with the tradition of solidarity and the strong will of the Gia Lai people, we will stand up stronger, making our homeland develop more sustainably and richly," Mr. Pham Anh Tuan emphasized.
