On the morning of May 8, 2025, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Permanent Representative of UNDP in Vietnam, Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and representatives of relevant units held a cash handover ceremony in Tan Huong commune, Yen Binh district (Yen Bai). This is part of an emergency aid package to help households affected by heavy damage from storms and floods stabilize their lives soon.
In total, 67 households are eligible for support with aid levels ranging from 2.1 million to 3.5 million VND, depending on the number of households. The selection criteria include: poor households, households with the elderly, children going to school or losing their homes and land due to the impact of storm No. 3 Yagi. The total value distributed at the ceremony was more than 212 million VND.
Through funding from the Korean Government, UNDP is deploying a $1 million emergency aid package in four provinces: Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Cao Bang and Thai Nguyen. As of April 2025, 940 households (equivalent to nearly 4,000 people) have received cash support.
In addition, the program also consulted and supervised the construction of 39 new houses and repaired 84 damaged houses. Public works such as roads, bridges, schools, etc. are also being urgently restored to improve local disaster response capacity.
Also on the same day, the working group handed over a new house to Ms. Bui Thi Tap - an elderly person in difficult circumstances in Yen Ninh ward (Yen Bai city). Her old house was completely collapsed due to landslides after super typhoon Yagi in 2024. This is a concrete demonstration of the efforts of UNDP, the Government and development partners in the post-disaster reconstruction process.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized: The Vietnamese Government always puts people at the center of all policies to respond to natural disasters. The reconstruction after the storm is not only to support housing but also to help people have conditions for long-term stability and sustainable livelihood development. We are committed to continuing to closely coordinate with international organizations to provide the most practical and effective support.
Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Chief Representative of UNDP in Vietnam, expressed her gratitude to Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep for promptly directing members of the Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership (DRRP) to assess essential needs for rescue, coordinate and plan response, as well as mobilize international solidarity to support affected households in the provinces.
Rebuilding after natural disasters is not only about rebuilding a house, but restoring trust and ensuring safety, UNDP is committed to continuing to accompany the Government and people of Vietnam in seeking comprehensive solutions, enhancing early warning capabilities and building better resilience to future natural disasters.
According to the plan, on May 9, 2025, the working group will continue to visit and hand over support houses in Nam Khanh commune, Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province.
