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Vietnam - Floods Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2001

Countries
Viet Nam
Sources
USAID
Publication date


Background

Vietnam experiences nearly annual flooding during its monsoon season, which typically runs from July to November. Flooding has been particularly devastating this year in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam, where prolonged and heavy monsoons since July have caused the worst flooding in sixty years.

USAID/OFDA has provided disaster assistance to Vietnam every year since FY 1992, most of it in response to floods and storms. Total USAID/OFDA response to disasters from FY 1992 through FY 2001 amounts to $3,143,347. USAID/OFDA-funded disaster mitigation activities being implemented in Vietnam between FY 2000 and FY 2003 total $2,798,000. Total USAID/OFDA-approved disaster response and mitigation activities for Vietnam amount to $5,941,347.

Current Situation

Long An, Dong Thap, and An Giang provinces are most severely affected by the recent flooding. Kien Giang, Tien Giang, Can Tho, and Vinh Long provinces are also experiencing some flooding, although less severe.

On September 23, the floodwater level peaked at nearly five meters. Since then, it has been falling at an average rate of three centimeters per day. Nevertheless, several thousand houses in the Mekong area remain submerged, forcing evacuated families to remain displaced for at least one more month.

As of October 27, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reports that floodwaters resulted in 417 deaths, 5 million people affected, 47,707 families evacuated, 828,007 houses affected, and 2,665 classrooms and 365 clinics damaged.

As of mid-October, the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) reports that the flooding has affected 10,000 kilometers of road, 13,000 bridges, thousands of handicraft factories, and 163,500 hectares of rice and subsidiary crops.

The Government of Vietnam (GVN) estimates that damages total $236 million. The GVN has pledged approximately $2.5 million in government assistance to fund relocations, emergency food, and medical care. The U.N. has launched an appeal for $10 million to assist with rehabilitation. WFP is working with the Vietnamese Red Cross to distribute 945 MT of rice to approximately 91,000 beneficiaries.

U.S. Government Assistance

Disaster Assistance

On September 15, 2000, U.S. Ambassador Douglas B. Peterson issued a disaster declaration for flooding in southeastern Vietnam. USAID/OFDA responded to the disaster declaration by providing $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi to IFRC to meet the immediate needs of affected families in the Mekong Delta area. The IFRC used this funding in joint efforts with the Vietnamese Red Cross to provide food, shelter materials, cooking utensils, personal hygiene items, and potable water to flood victims.

Following additional flooding, on September 26, USAID/OFDA provided $216,160 to the IFRC to purchase and distribute 3,500 emergency kits and 3,000 fishing nets to replace lost household assets. The funding also was used to purchase three motorized boats to assist the local Red Cross in search and rescue efforts and the delivery of relief supplies.

USAID/OFDA’s Senior Regional Advisor traveled to Vietnam from October 11-15 to assess flood damage and identify needs in consultation with the U.S. Embassy, local government, and humanitarian organizations. Upon his recommendation, USAID/OFDA provided 13 Zodiac boats and motors, two water purification units, and 87 rolls of plastic sheeting at a cost of $214,600 to the IFRC. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) transported the plastic sheeting and water purification units to Ho Chi Minh City on October 18 and 20 at an approximate cost of $200,000. The Zodiac boats arrived in Ho Chi Minh City via USAID/OFDA commercial airlift on October 21 at a cost of $16,885. A USAID/OFDA Disaster Specialist arrived in Hanoi on October 16 to coordinate the receipt and distribution of these supplies.

USAID/OFDA provided assistance totaling $754,960 to Vietnam in response to major flooding in Vietnam's central provinces in November and December 1999. This assistance included the provision of relief commodities, which were transported to Hanoi via DOD aircraft, and support for flood relief efforts undertaken by IFRC.

Preparedness/Mitigation Assistance

USAID/OFDA will provide $1.44 million from 2001-2003 to assist the GVN in establishing a radio-based coastal storm warning system for fishing boats at sea.

USAID/OFDA also will provide $250,000 over 30 months to the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center to identify sustainable, appropriate, and affordable disaster-resistant construction techniques that can be incorporated into existing Vietnamese construction methods and housing types.

In addition, USAID/OFDA is supporting flood preparedness efforts through a $994,000, four year grant (2000-2003) to the UNDP to develop a flood early warning system and enhanced flood basin mapping in central Vietnam.

Furthermore, USAID/OFDA provided $114,000 for two technical assistance missions to Vietnam in 1999: 1) a visit by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service (NOAA/NWS) to assess flood forecast and early warning capacities in the Red River basin, and 2) a visit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for assessment of dike and dam construction.

USAID/OFDA Assistance in Response to Floods/Typhoons/Storms/Droughts

Fiscal Year
Partner(s)
Activity
Amount
Disaster Response
FY 92 - FY 99
$1,890,742
FY 2000
$1,021,120
FY 2001 (to date)
$231,485
Subtotal Response
$3,143,347
Disaster Mitigation
FY 92 - FY 99
$0
FY 2000 NOAA/NWS Assess flood forecasting and early warning systems
$64,000
USACE Assess dike and dam construction
$50,000
UNDP Develop early warning system and map flood basin
$994,000*
FY 2001 (to date) UNDP Establish radio-based storm warning system for boats
$1,440,000*
ADPC Incorporate disaster-resistant construction techniques
$250,000*
Subtotal Mitigation
$2,798,000
Total
$5,941,347

Notes:

1. Mitigation assistance that is marked with an asterisk is being provided over several fiscal years. The fiscal year in which it is reflected on the table refers to when the funding began; but, only a portion of the assistance is actually obligated in that year.

2. A fiscal year runs from October 1 of one year to September 30 of the next.