Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at a meeting on disaster response with authorities of central provinces (Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu)

The flooding in central Vietnam has been a historic disaster, but a prompt disaster response has mitigated the damage.

Resolute, prompt measures

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Ministers Truong Hoa Binh and Trinh Dinh Dung have visited and worked with the authorities of flood-hit Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue, and Ha Tinh province to direct search and rescue and recovery activities. The Prime Minister has issued disaster response directives to allocate disinfectants and initial 21.5 million USD for search and rescue activities, ensure social security, and carry out other recovery operations.

The government has distributed 5,000 tons of rice, supplies, and motored canoes to help flood-hit provinces.

Localities, based on their situation, are allowed to use their budgets and other legal financial resources to respond to the disaster.

At a meeting with authorities of Quang Binh province on Saturday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said: “We need to take immediate measures to protect people’s lives. We need to pay attention to the environment and health risks. We cannot let anyone suffer from hunger or cold or be homeless. Children should resume their schooling soon. More effort should be made to distribute aid  efficiently.”

The local administrations of central provinces have mobilized resources for recovery, and ensured sufficient supplies of food, clean water, and other necessities. They have also mobilized volunteers to repair houses, clean up the environment, and prevent the spread of diseases.

The central provinces have prepared to receive aid deliveries by arranging free accommodation for aid convoys and suspending road fees on National Highway 1 in Quang Tri.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presents aid packages to flood victims (Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu)

Social consensus created

The government’s disaster response efforts have encouraged the public to follow suit. Do Van Sinh, a National Assembly deputy for Quang Tri province, said: "The government, Ministries and sectors, particularly the Ministry of Health, have worked closely with provincial and municipal People’s Committees to clean up the environment, prevent the spread of diseases, and ensure sufficient supplies of clean water and food. Next we need to help people restore production."

Mai Thi Phuong Hoa, a NA deputy for Nam Dinh province, said: "The government has responded promptly to the disaster. I praise the Prime Minister’s efforts and instructions."

Le Van Phong, a resident of Hai Chanh commune, Quang Tri province, said: "The State has delivered reserved rice to flood-hit regions. On behalf of the people of Hai Chanh commune, I’d like to thank the Party and State for their close attention to flood-hit people."

In the last month, Vietnam’s central region has been repeatedly hit by 3 typhoons and 2 low tropical pressures which brought along prolonged, torrential rains and historic flooding. With prompt action by the government, resolute efforts by  localities, and the support of people nationwide, the people of central Vietnam are already re-stabilizing their lives.