Hanoi, 21 November 2024 - In response to Typhoon Yagi’s severe impact on communities across Northern Viet Nam, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Viet Nam has mobilised over VND 16 billion to provide crucial support to vulnerable groups affected by the disaster. These efforts align with UNFPA’s commitment to aiding disaster response and recovery, especially among women, children, older persons and other vulnerable populations.

As part of this support package, UNFPA has allocated essential resources to ensure the immediate and long-term welfare of affected groups:

1,800 Dignity Kits already distributed, 1,200 more to follow

During the early recovery phase of typhoon Yagi, UNFPA Viet Nam, in collaboration with the Vietnam Farmer’s Union, distributed 1,800 dignity kits to gender-based violence (GBV) survivors and women at risk of violence in Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen and Lao Cai provinces, with an additional 1,200 kits planned for upcoming distribution in Bac Giang, Thai Binh and Bac Ninh, valued at approximately USD 75,000 collectively.

Dignity Kits are a key part of UNFPA’s comprehensive humanitarian response to protect the reproductive health and rights of women and girls, reduce the risks of GBV, and respond to & protect the dignity of women and girls affected by disasters such as Typhoon Yagi. The kits include essential hygiene items, safety equipment, and information on GBV support services, helping women protect themselves from violence and maintain their dignity.

Cash assistance to pregnant women to motivate safe delivery at health facilities

Recognising the heightened vulnerability of pregnant women in post-disaster conditions, UNFPA has provided cash assistance to pregnant women residing in disaster-affected communes of Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Bac Kan valued at $50,000. UNFPA is mobilising additional resources to provide cash assistance to pregnant women in other provinces impacted by the disaster. This cash enables mothers to have safe deliveries in health settings, to prioritise their nutrition and to cover expenses as they prepare to give birth.

Cash transfer to older persons in remote and ethnic minority mountainous areas

Due to pre-existing poor health conditions plus limited access to age-friendly infrastructure and services, older persons have experienced disproportionate impacts as well as being more vulnerable to exclusion and neglect during the typhon crisis. Despite ongoing emergency relief efforts, still many older persons in remote and ethnic minority mountainous areas remain excluded because they tend to be neglected, and therefore their individual needs were not fully captured in emergency assessments. As such, older persons continue to face difficulties during the recovery period which are worsened by their illnesses, losses of production and business facilities, and other vulnerabilities.

To help them further mitigate the existing hardship, UNFPA has mobilized USD 33,000 (equivalent to more than 800 million VND) from the Emergency Fund which will be used to support around 545 older persons in Cao Bang and Lao Cai provinces severely affected by the Yagi typhoon. The proposed amount is VND 1,500,000 per person per household and it is planned to be transferred via bank accounts or e-wallets of the selected older persons or their authorized person. The cash transfer support is expected to provide the recipients with more choices to buy essential items based on their individual needs as well as promote the application of e-payment system for older persons in an emergency context.

USD 500,000 Secured for Gender-Based Violence Services in Quang Ninh

In a significant move for gender-based violence (GBV) response and recovery, UNFPA has successfully mobilised USD 500,000 from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to bolster the emergency relief and post-disaster recovery efforts at the Quang Ninh One-Stop Service Center, known as Ánh Dương House, that was badly damaged by the storm. This critical funding will ensure that essential GBV survivor services continue uninterrupted for those affected by the typhoon in Quang Ninh and nearby provinces. Ánh Dương House provides essential, comprehensive, and integrated services to women and girls subjected to violence including health care, psychological support, counselling, social services, emergency shelters, police protection, legal and justice services, and referrals. All services provided at the OSSC are based on the survivor-centred principle, in which survivors are treated with respect and dignity, and assured of privacy and confidentiality.

Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam, underlined the importance of UNFPA’s sustained support: “UNFPA stands beside the people of Viet Nam in times of need and remains committed to supporting the most vulnerable in society. Our efforts ensure that the most vulnerable, particularly women, children and the elderly, are protected and supported as they work to rebuild their lives after disasters.”

With these ongoing initiatives and immediate support, UNFPA reaffirms its role as a steadfast partner in Viet Nam’s disaster response and recovery efforts, continuing to ensure that vulnerable populations are prioritised and empowered with essential resources and support.