Flood affected Vietnam receives Canadian humanitarian aid

---

Thanks to the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund, survivors of extensive flooding in Vietnam will receive immediate life-saving assistance from Humanitarian Coalition member Save the Children Canada.

Over a two-week period in October, 2016, Central Vietnam was hit by three consecutive tropical storms, causing extensive rainfall. More than 800mm fell in certain areas and some communities were under 2.8 metres of water. The storms killed at least 34 people, affected more than 650,000 people and damaged an estimated 130,000 homes. The spread of water-borne diseases is a growing concern as drinking water sources have been contaminated by the floods. In addition, vast farming areas and food stocks have been destroyed while hundreds of thousands of livestock, particularly domesticated birds, have been lost, raising the risks of food insecurity.

With $225,000 allocated from the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund, Save the Children Canada is able to respond immediately to the needs of thousands affected. The organization will rehabilitate water sources and sanitation facilities and provide unconditional cash grants. Distributed directly to women via local women’s organizations, the cash transfers will provide people with the ability to determine for themselves what their most pressing needs are, easing the stress faced by poorer households and at the same time contribute to reinvesting in the local economy.

Save the Children has been working in Vietnam for the past 26 years, developing strong relationships with national authorities, provincial governments and local partners through various development and humanitarian projects.

The Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund is a joint mechanism financed by Global Affairs Canada, the Humanitarian Coalition and its member agencies.