Health, lives of Typhoon Yagi victims placed first and foremost: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for all possible support from the entire political system, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations in the spirit of putting the health and lives of affected residents first and foremost while working with leaders of Lao Cai provinces, and relevant ministries and agencies on the settlement of the aftermath caused by typhoon Yagi and subsequent floods and landslides.

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At the working session in Bao Yen district on September 12 evening right after his trip to inspect the search, rescue and relief operations at Nu village, which was hit by a devastating landslide that buried 37 households and left 95 people dead or missing, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the immediate provision of shelters, food, drinking water and clothes to those who have lost their homes and possessions, ensuring that no one is left hungry, short of clothes or water, or homeless.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting.

Relevant ministries and agencies were tasked with reaching isolated areas to deliver necessities to local people.

The Prime Minister also directed efforts to repair and resume the operations of schools and health stations, ensuring that students can return to their classrooms and public health is protected.

Efforts should also focus on cleaning up the environment, preventing disease outbreaks, and restoring transport and infrastructure for electricity, water, and irrigation, he said, adding that emphasis must be placed on ensuring safety, order, and social welfare while promptly addressing any emerging issues.

Local authorities were assigned to consider the relocation of residents from landslide-prone areas, provide housing support for those who have lost their homes, ensure livelihoods and employment opportunities, and allocate land for production to rebuild local lives.

The government leader also assigned other specific tasks to ministries, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political mass organizations.

Agreeing with Lao Cai's proposals, the Prime Minister decided to allocate VND 150 billion (USD 6.25 million) from the central budget to support the province's recovery efforts.

Lao Cai reported a grim toll, with 98 deaths, 81 missing and 76 injured people. Over 9,100 houses have been inundated, affected by landslides, or swept away by floods, forcing the evacuation of over 2,200 out of more than 9,500 households in dangerous areas. More than 3,500 ha of rice, crops, and aquaculture were damaged. Total damage is estimated at over VND 3 trillion (USD 122 million).

Source: VNA