World Vision staff in eye of storm when massive typhoon hit Vietnam
By James East, World Vision Asia Pacific Communications and Nguyen Kim Ngan, World Vision Vietnam Communications

World Vision Vietnam staff were in the path of the massive Typhoon Ketsana that swept through central Vietnam, with reports that  thousands of people have been evacuated to safety amidst reports of flooding.

World Vision Vietnam had observed the evacuation of residents at coastal areas in Quang Tri province to safer locations.  The government had shut down airports, schools and power as part of its early warning procedures in the Danang area.

World Vision staff has prepositioned relief supplies to assist those most impacted by the storm. Seven hundred families who were evacuated had already received small packs of food assistance to see them through the disaster.

World Vision Vietnam operates 12 community-level projects working with more than 25,000 children and their families, within the storm path.  There are 90 staff in the area.

Mr Le Van Duong , World Vision’s Relief and Disaster Mitigation Coordinator, who is currently based in Danang, said, “Danang was predicted to be in the eye of the storm. It started off very windy and trees were uprooted and blown down. We saw to the evacuation of 3,000 families from our project areas to safer places, including schools and we have already distributed noodle packs to 700 families.”

Mr Danny Selvanayagam, National Director of World Vision Vietnam, said, “We believe the communities we work in are well prepared for disasters.  World Vision works closely with the government and local authorities to ensure that those in the paths of storms receive early warnings through various means, including radio, television announcements and community loud speakers. We feel that people were well aware of the approaching typhoon and World Vision is also geared up to respond to any suffering that may result.”

Some 200,000 people had been evacuated from low lying areas to safer higher places, including school buildings and community centres.  The Ministry of Defence is on standby for rescue and logistics.  International NGOs are coordinating efforts to handle the response and the government has asked international agencies to be on standby. The National Disaster Response team has also been deployed to Danang.  The storm is a Category Two level storm with winds gusting up to 204km per hour.

World Vision Vietnam has had a long history of conducting disaster preparedness activities in central Vietnam which is prone to monsoon floods, including helping people to evacuate, running simulations and even helping people get to their rooftops for safety.

Staff with World Vision Vietnam are currently working to address the needs of thousands of survivors in Manila, the Philippines, after the storm devastated the city.  Agency staff in Laos and Cambodia are also preparing for the impending storm.

I WISH TO HELP! World Vision in Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are aiming to raise funds to support the emergency relief and rehabilitation plans in Typhoon Ketsana floods that have swept across the nation, destroying the lives of many. If you wish to help, please click here, and indicate that your contribution is for the Typhoon Ketsana floods in Manila.