Ha Noi 11 October 2024 – The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has generously committed USD 1 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support recovery efforts under the “Inclusive Early Recovery and Reconstruction Programme After Typhoon Yagi”.

Considered the most destructive storm to hit Viet Nam in three decades, Typhoon Yagi has affected 3.6 million people. With nearly 400,000 homes damaged or submerged, and infrastructure in ruins, the storm has left the country facing a recovery effort estimated at more than USD 3.3 billion (VND 81.5 trillion).

In alignment with the Joint UN Response, UNDP’s programme aims to address immediate needs and foster long-term resilience in communities hardest hit by the disaster, particularly in Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh provinces.

Building on the successful partnership with the Republic of Korea during the recovery from Typhoon Damrey in 2017, this programme will address immediate recovery needs, including the distribution of recovery kits and multi-purpose cash transfers to vulnerable households. It will empower affected communities and strengthen their resilience to future disasters by rebuilding flood- and storm-resilient homes and small-scale community infrastructure and providing short-term employment opportunities through cash-for-work schemes.

Mr. Choi Youngsam, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Viet Nam, said: “In the spirit of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the ROK government swiftly announced USD 2 million of emergency aid to support Viet Nam. Since then, we have been working closely together with the Vietnamese government and international organizations, including UNDP, to ensure this emergency fund will be effectively used and promptly distributed to areas and people in dire need of support in the aftermath of the natural disaster”.

The implementation of this initiative will be carried out in close coordination with local authorities and in consultation with affected communities, prioritizing support to vulnerable groups, including women-headed households, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, to ensure that those most in need receive assistance.

UNDP Resident Presentative, Ramla Khalidi, expressed appreciation for the timely support from the Republic of Korea. She said: “This generous contribution from the Republic of Korea will significantly bolster our recovery efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi. We have already commenced activities to ensure that help reaches those in need as quickly as possible. Beyond immediate recovery, we are committed to helping communities build back better and enhancing resilience to future climate shocks.”

***
For further information, please contact:
Nguyen Viet Lan, UNDP Communications Lead in Viet Nam
phone: +84-914436769, email: nguyen.viet.lan@undp.org