Together, we shall come back stronger

CONTEXT AND AFV'S INTERVENTION

The continuous flooding and landslides in Central Vietnam, resulted from numerous typhoons during the latter half of 2020, have left devastating impacts on the lives of many people within the region. As of November 2020, the prolonged flooding in Central Vietnam has submerged 409,324 houses, with more than 211,474 houses destroyed completely. A total of 185 people lost their lives and 61 reported missing over the course of 3 months. More than 1,354 hectares of rice, 106,616 hectares of crops, and over 3 million of livestock and poultrywere swept away by the flood. The estimated property damage is around VND 12,526 billion (GPB 410,463 million).

 Approximately 375,000 people were evacuated from flooded areas, leaving all their accumulated properties, including house, rice field, vegetable crop, buffalo and cow completely washed away by the floods. The question on the unstable livelihood post-disaster of the residents, therefore, remained unanswered. A total of 362 local schools have been heavily damaged with classrooms destroyed, educational material and equipment flooded away, disrupting the education of 1.2 millionstudents in Central Vietnam.

 Acknowledging the urgency of the situation in Central Vietnam, in November 2020, AFV launched the “Together, we shall come back stronger” programme with the aims to help people living in flood-affected areas rebuild sustainable livelihoods and resettle post-disaster. The donation amount was also utilized to help the local students get back to school and continue their studies.

• From 23^rd to 25^th November 2020, ourprogramme successfully delivered 13,770 notebooks, 12 bicycles and 16 bookshelves to 1,377 students of Nguyen Huu Da secondary school, Quang Phu 2 primary school, Pho Ninh primary school, Phong Xuan secondary school, Tay Bac Hien primary school, and Phong An secondary school in Thua Thien Hue province.

• 250 packages of household utensils and sanitary kits were provided for 100 local women in 3 communes of Quang Tho, Quang Ngan and Quang Cong - Quang Dien district and 150 women in Phong My and Phong Xuan communes, Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province. Each package included 01 saucepan, 01 blanket, 01 mosquito net, 01 pair of boots, 03 sanitary pads and 02 pillows.

• In November 2020, 30 tons of organic fertilizer were provided to 150 households of Quang Thanh commune, Quang Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province whose vegetables had been severely damaged by heavy rains and floods.

• During the same month, a total of 12,500 tons of rice seeds were delivered to 400 households in Hai Duong commune, Hai Lang district, Quang Tri province.

• AFV also provided 40 sets of desks for students and teachers, as well assupportingthe reconstruction of the school fence and the library of Trieu Long primary and secondary school in Quang Tri province, ensuring a safe and appropriate learning environment for the students.

• From December 2020 to February 2021, thanks to AFV’s intervention, Phong Chuong and Nguyen Huu Da primary schools in Quang Dien and Phong Dien districts, Thua Thien Hue province were able upgrade 03 toilets and a playground for their students. All 560 students and teachers now have access to sanitary, up-to-standard toilets and a safer playground for outdoor activities.

• In January 2021, AFV provided financial support for Ly Tu Trong secondary boarding school in Axan commune, Tay Giang district, Quang Nam province to upgrade the school canteen. As a result, 292 ethnic minority boarding children have enjoyed the safer and better dining room to continue their learning.

• In February 2021, 300 students of Tu Ha and Huong Xuan primary schools in Huong Tra town were provided with schoolbags, raincoats, warm clothes, notebooks, andpens. This intervention helped reopen the school, as well asreducing the financial burden on the students’parents on school supplies and equipment. 

I. CASE STUDY 1:

Mrs. Phan Thi Hue living in Phong Xuan commune is a 59-year-old farmer. Her children all left their hometown to get married and to find better job opportunities. The 2020 flood took her husband’s life in a tragic accident, leaving Mrs. Hue alone in her small house. Moreover, heavy, continuous rains, coupled with strong wind covered her house in water and heavily damaged it. Her small rice field, which is her only source of income, is fully submerged in water.

Understanding the difficulties and urgent needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in flood-affected areas, from November 2020 to February 2021, Aid for social protection programme Foundation Vietnam (AFV) has distributed 250 support packages to those most needed during post-disaster recovery. Each package contains mosquito nets, blanket, pillow, kitchen utensils, boots, and personal hygienic kits including sanitary pads. This was appreciated by local people and authorities as a meaningful and timely contribution to girls and women’s health in Central Vietnam, particularly during such a difficult time when their rights and vulnerability are easily ignored.

“I want to thank the sponsors, as well as the delivery staff for providing us with the much-needed support packages and hygiene kits. Your support means a lot to me. Now I don’t have to worry about the cold weather and will be able to take care of my personal hygiene on my own. Your support has given me hope in such a difficult time.” – Mrs. Hue shared.

The project has offered the necessary assistance for the communities most affected by severe flooding, landslides, and flash floods in Central Vietnam. The local people are now able to rebuild their normal lives post-disaster and focus on ensuring long-term food security, shelter, education, sanitation, and livelihood.

II. CASE STUDY 2:

Thanh Ha, a 10-year-old student studying in Tay Bac Hien primary school, Phong Dien commune, Thua Thien Hue Province was one of the children who received the support packages from AFV, as part of the ongoing effort to help bring the children back to school and allow them to continue their studies.

Ha lost her mother when she was just one year old. The responsibility of raising 03 children was since put onto her father’s shoulders. As a single father, he struggles to earn enough money to support the family. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with prolonged rainy season, the family’s income was significantly reduced.

Ha said “My house was covered in knee-high water for weeks. All our books, notebooks and other school materials were damaged. I’m worried that more of our stuff will also be destroyed since our roof was ripped off by the wind during the storms.”

The project’s objective is to promote community’s response to climate change and support their recovery post-disaster in Vietnam. The packages of school materials were essential in upholding the local children’s rights and ensuring that they can receive proper education even amidst such difficult situation.

Holding 10 brand new notebooks in her hands, Ha said: “Thank you, our wonderful sponsors! These new notebooks are beautiful, I really like them. All my old notebooks my father bought before were either ripped or wet. Now I don’t have to worry about it anymore. Thank you so much!”.

THANK YOU

On behalf of all vulnerable communities affected by flooding and landslide in Central Vietnam, we at AFV would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to you, our wonderful donors. None of this could have been achieved without your generous contributions and unwavering supports. You have truly made a significant difference to the lives of our people in Central Vietnam. Thank you!