For seven years, Ms. Tuat, a woman in her 30s living in Dan Chu commune, Quang Ninh Province, poured her heart into cultivating her family’s acacia plantation. But in just hours, Super Typhoon Yagi, the most devastating storm to hit Asia in 2024, reduced her hard work to ruins.
Already struggling with limited means, Ms. Tuat’s family had no savings and no children to rely on. The acacia hill was their sole source of income. “I went to check the trees after the storm,” she said, her voice breaking. “I fell ill for two days. Everything was gone—flattened like it had never existed.”
Ms. Tuat and her husband shared a modest home with her youngest brother, perched on a steep slope prone to landslides. The storm’s unrelenting winds tore off their roof, leaving them exposed and vulnerable. The isolated location of her home meant that Ms. Tuat, like so many women in disaster-stricken areas, faced heightened risks of gender-based violence, with little access to support services. Natural disasters like Yagi don’t just destroy livelihoods; it amplifies existing inequalities. Women bear the brunt of the burden, caring for their families amid financial devastation. For Ms. Tuat, the weight of survival was overwhelming.
| Natural disasters like Typhoon Yagi often exacerbate the risk of gender-based violence as women face increased pressures to care for their families amid economic losses. Additionally, storms and landslides severely damage critical infrastructure, such as roads, medical facilities, and social assistance centers, disrupting vital support services like hotlines and internet networks. This isolation leaves at-risk individuals like Ms. Tuat cut off from the help they need most. |
Despite the destruction and the interruption of power, relief came to Ms. Tuat’s door—literally. UNFPA and the Viet Nam Farmers’ Union (VFU) carried dignity kits by hand to reach her remote home. The kits contained essentials like soap, shampoo, and flashlights, carefully designed to meet the health and hygiene needs of women and reduce their vulnerability to gender-based violence. “I never imagined that strangers would come to help us,” Ms. Tuat said, her eyes brimming with tears as she unpacked the dignity kit.
Beyond material support, the UNFPA team provided something even more profound: A sense of being seen, heard, and valued. They explained how Ms. Tuat could access emergency support services and shared practical guidance on staying safe. For Ms. Tuat, the dignity kit wasn’t just a collection of items—it was a message of hope and humanity. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” she said softly, her face lighting up with a smile. “Just seeing you all here makes me feel so happy.” As she slipped on her new sandals, Ms. Tuat took her first symbolic step toward recovery. The storm had stripped her of so much, but this small gesture restored a piece of her dignity and resilience.
| With the support of UNFPA Viet Nam, over VND 16 billion has been mobilized to aid vulnerable groups affected by Typhoon Yagi. This includes distributing 3,000 dignity kits, providing cash support to 1,250 pregnant women for safe childbirth at health facilities, and aiding 835 elderly individuals in remote and ethnic minority areas. Additionally, $500,000 has been allocated to gender-based violence support services in Quang Ninh. |
UNFPA’s response extended far beyond Ms. Tuat’s home. Across Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen and Bac Giang provinces, 3,000 dignity kits were distributed to women affected by Typhoon Yagi. More than VND 12 billion ($500,000) was mobilized to support emergency relief and post disaster recovery for Anh Duong house in Quang Ninh and nearby provinces. Ms. Tuat’s story is just one of thousands, but it underscores a universal truth: Even in the darkest times, small acts of compassion can ignite powerful change.
