UNICEFRepresentativeSilviaDanailovandEducationOfficerNguy?nHoàngTùngreceivingwaterpurificationtabletsprovidedbyUNICEFtogovernmentpartnersfordistributiontocommunitiesaffectedbytyphoonYagi.—PhotocourtesyofUNICEFVi?tNamTheUnitedNationsChildrensFund(UNICEF),akeyproviderofemergencydisasterrelief,iscommittedtoassistingtheGovernmentofVi?tNaminaddressingthedevastationofTyphoonYagi,theorganisationsRepresentativetoVi?tNamSilviaDanailovtoldVi?tNamNewsinaninterview.NorthernVi?tNamhasbeensignificantlyimpactedbyTyphoonYagi,leadingtoextensivedamageandlosses.CouldyouprovideanassessmentofVi?tNamseffortsinnaturaldisasterpreventionandforecasting,aswellasthestrategiesimplementedtomitigatetherecentdamage?Firstly,Iwanttoexpressmydeepestsympathiesandcondolences,onbehalfofUNICEF,tothepeopleofVi?tNamwhohavesufferedlossofcountlesslives,injuries,majordamagetolivelihoodsanddisruptionstotheirdailylivesduetothisdevastatingstorm.Unfortunately,thesituationcontinuestoworsenintheaftermathofthestorm.Beforethestormhit,theGovernmentofVi?tNamtookremarkable,proactiveandwell-coordinatedstepstosecurethesafetyofitspeopleandvitalinfrastructure.Theirpreventiveactionsrangedfromtimelyevacuationprocedurestothemobilisationofresponseteamsandthesafeguardingofcriticalareaslikeseadikes.Theseactionshighlightthegovernmentscommitmenttodisasterpreventionandforecastingandtoprotectinglivesandlivelihoods,whichiscommendable.UNICEFhassupportedtheseeffortsbyassistingtheauthoritiesincirculatingcrucialpreventionandpreparednessmessagesamongthepopulation,withafocusonchildrenandwomen.Inthewakeofthestorm,thegovernmenthasbeenswiftlycarryingoutinitialdamageassessmentsandlaunchedresponseeffortsontheground,includingwiththesupportofinternationalandlocalhumanitarianactors.TheswiftactivationoftheDisasterRiskandResponsePartnership,acoalitionconsistingofgovernmentbodies,UNagenciesincludingUNICEF,InternationalNGOsandhumanitarianpartners,isatestamenttothespiritofsolidarity,cooperationandresilienceinthefaceofadversity.Thiscollective,strategicresponseisnotjustcommendable,itsinspirational.CouldyousharemoreaboutUNICEFssupportplanforVi?tNam?Whatwillbethefocus?UNICEFsresponseisfocusedonsupportingthegovernmentsefforts.WeworkcloselywithgovernmentpartnersandUNsisteragenciesandotherpartnerstoaddressimmediatehumanitarianneedsandlong-termrecoveryandresiliencebuildingefforts.Throughgovernmentpartners,UNICEFisalreadyprovidinghumanitariansuppliestoaffectedpeople.Forexample,thisweekweprovidedwatersuppliestothegeneralhospitalinLàoCaiandtheCentreforDiseaseControlinTháiNguyên.Inthedaystocome,welldelivermorewaterpurificationtablets,watertanks,ceramicfiltersandhandsanitisersfordistributiontohouseholds,schoolsandhealthcarefacilitiesinYênBáiandLàoCaiprovinces.Wehavealsoparticipatedingovernment-ledneedsassessmentsandouremergencysupportprioritiseshelpingsavelivesandrestoringbasicservicesforthemostvulnerablepopulations,especiallychildren.UNICEFemergencyinterventionsarefocusedonensuringaccesstosafewater,sanitation,hygiene,healthservices,nutrition,educationandchildprotection,aswellasprovidinghumanitariancashassistancetovulnerablefamilies.WearefullycommittedtosupportingtheVietnamesegovernmentsstrongeffortstomitigatethedisastersimpact.Ourprimaryactionsinclude:-Distributingwatertreatment,hygieneandsanitationsuppliestohouseholds,healthcentresandschools.-Supplyingemergencymedicalandnutritionalaidstoseverelyaffectedareas.-Assistinginschoolreopeningandprovidingpsychosocialsupporttoaffectedchildren.-Deliveringemergencykitstothemostaffectedchildrenandfamilies.-Disbursinghumanitariancashassistancetothemostvulnerablehouseholds,toallowthemtomeetimmediateneeds.Withourextensiveexperienceinemergencyresponse,wearefullypreparedtoreinforcethenationalresponsealongsideotherUNagencies.ChildrenandcommunitiesdevastatedbySuperTyphoonYagisfloodinginthenorthernprovinceofTháiNguyên.—PhotocourtesyofUNICEFVi?tNamWhatimmediateactionsshouldVi?tNamprioritisetomitigatetheaftermathofTyphoonYagiandwhatlong-termstrategiesshouldbeconsideredtorecoverfromthiscrisis?Insupportofgovernmentefforts,ourpriorityatthismomentissavinglivesandcompletingacomprehensiveassessmentofthesituation.Thisinvolvesagoodunderstandingoftheconditionsofthemostvulnerablepopulations,includingchildren,identifyingimmediatelife-savinginterventionsandsupportingtheresumptionofessentialsocialservices.Forexample,asoftoday,weknowpergovernmentreportsthatmorethan20childrenhavetragicallylosttheirlives,andwefearthisnumbermayrise.Anestimated5.5millionchildren,including1.2millionunderfive,liveinthemostaffectedprovinces,andmillionsmoreareaffectedbyseriousfloodsandlandslides,whichcouldleadtowaterbornediseases.Tosecureaccesstowater,hygieneandsanitation,UNICEFispreparedtoprovidewatertreatmentandsafestoragesuppliesforatleast400,000households.Withanestimatedtwomillionchildrenexperiencingdisruptedlearningduetoschoolclosures,thereopeningofschoolsisalsoaprioritythatUNICEFstandsreadytosupport.Wealsoworktoensurecontinuedaccesstoprimaryhealthcare,nutritionandimmunisationforchildren.Weallknowthatensuringvaccinationsforchildreniscriticaltoavoidsignificanthealthissuesinthefuture–sothisisakeypointifwethinkaboutthelongterm.CanyoushareanyinternationalstrategiesorlessonsthatmightenhanceVi?tNamscapabilitiesinnaturaldisasterpreventionandforecasting,aswellassupportintherecoveryandpreparednessforfuturedisasters?Iapplaudthegovernmentsimmediatemeasurestosavelivesandensuresafety,especiallyforchildren.Vi?tNamsforecastingabilitiesarecommendable,asisitsparticipationinglobalandregionalinitiativesfordisasterpreventionandresponse.Thefactthatthegovernmenthasmobilisedresponsesatthehighestlevel,includingcallingonsupportfromUNagencieslikeUNICEF,isacommendableexampleofeffectivedisastermanagement.Vi?tNamhaslearntfrominternationalexperiencesanditsowneffortsalsooffervaluableexperiencesfortheinternationalcommunity.TherecognitionforVi?tNamscomprehensiveandproactivedisasterresponseapproachisindeedwelldeserved.Internationalexperienceinclimate-relatedemergencieshighlightstheimportanceofinvestinginchild-centredpreventionandresponseplansandstrengtheningthecapacitiesofallrelevantstakeholders.Approachesthatfocusoncommunityempowerment,gender-responsiveinitiativesandinclusive,affordableandsustainableservicesarecrucial.AsaUNagency,UNICEFcanofferitsexpertiseindisasterriskreductionandclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationinvarioussectorstotheVietnameseGovernment,aswearedoingalready.—VNSUNICEFismobilisingresourcestoensureemergencyaidisurgentlyprovided.AninitialUS$11millionisurgentlyrequiredtobeabletodeliveronitsmandatetoassistthemostvulnerablechildren.Asthefullimpactofthetyphoonunfolds,additionalresourceswillbecriticaltomeetingtheurgentneedsofchildrenandfamiliesintheaffectedregions.

DeputyMinisterofIndustryandTradeNguy?nHoàngLongholdsameetingwithNorwegianAmbassadortoVi?tNamHildeSolbakkenonJETPonWednesday.PhotoMinistryofIndustryandTradeHàN?I–TheJustEnergyTransitionPartnership(JETP)willhelpVi?tNamandmanyotherdevelopingcountriesrealisetheirnet-zeroemissionstargetsby2050,andshifttotheuseofcleanenergy,DeputyMinisterofIndustryandTradeNguy?nHoàngLongsaidataworkingsessionwithNorwegianAmbassadortoVi?tNamHildeSolbakkeninHàN?ionWednesday.Longsaid,toeffectivelycarryingouttheJETP,theMinistryofIndustryandTradeestablishedeightworkinggroupsfocusingondevelopingoffshorewindpower,renewableenergycentre,andsmartpowergrid,providingtrainingtoimproveenergytransitioncapacity,anddevelopinggreenhydrogen,amongothers.ThegroupshavecontributedinitiativestoimplementingNationalPowerDevelopmentPlanVIII,aswellasbolsteringthedevelopmentofrenewableenergyinVietnam,hesaid.RegardingNorwaysenergyinvestmentprojectsinVi?tNam,theofficialsaidastheprojectsareunderthedevelopmentplan,theywillenjoypreferencesandsupportfromJETPspartners,addingtheministrystandsreadytojoinhandswiththeembassyandlocalitiestoaccompanyNorwegianenterprises.HehighlightedthecloseVi?tNam–Norwayrelations,andexpressedhisbeliefthatNorway,whichboastsstrengthsinkeyindustrialsectors,willassistVietnamindevelopingitseconomyandenergysector.Solbakken,forherpart,spokehighlyoftheministrysprogrammesandactionsinimplementingtheJETP,sayingtheestablishmentoftheworkinggroupsisavividdemonstrationforitsresolveinenergytransition.TheambassadoraffirmedthatsupportingVi?tNamintheprocessisamongtheprioritiesofNorwayasapartneroftheJETP.–VNSTh?aThiên-Hu?has437fishingvesselswithalengthofatleast15metresequippedwithvesselmonitoringsystem.Photocand.com.vnTH?ATHIêN-HU?–DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentPhùng??cTi?nonWednesdayorderedthecentralprovinceofTh?aThiên–Hu?totightencontroloveroffshorefishingvesselsinanefforttoclampdownonillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishing.AtaworkingsessionwiththeStandingBoardoftheprovincialPartyCommittee,Ti?n,alsodeputyheadoftheNationalSteeringCommitteeonIUUFishingPrevention,affirmedthesignificancetoeradicatingIUUfishing,andaskedtheprovincetodirectcompetentlocalities,departmentsandsectorstokeepclosetabsonthesituation,andmeteoutstrictpunishmentstoanyviolations.AreportfromtheprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentshowedthattheprovincehas437fishingvesselswithalengthofatleast15metresequippedwithvesselmonitoringsystem(VMS),includingthreebrokenones.Fromtheoutsetoftheyear,competentauthoritieshavedetected358boatslosingVMSsignalsfromsixhourstounder10daysduetoserviceproviderssatelliteincidents,andpowerdisconnections.Theelectroniccatchdocumentationandtraceabilitysystem(eCDT)hasbeenpilotedatThu?nAnfishingportforhundredsofvesselsentryandexit,ensuringtransparency,andcertifyingseafoodorigin.Asmanyas674fishingboatswithlengthfromsixmetreshavebeenregistered,gotfishinglicences,andupdatedtheirinformationonnationalfisheriesdatabase(Vnfishbase).However,thenumberofthreenosvessels(noregistration,noexamination,andnolicence),is385,mostofthembeingsmallinsize.TheprovincehasdirectedshipownerstocompleteregistrationproceduresbeforeOctober30.–VNS

VietnamrankshighintheE-GovernmentDevelopmentIndexgroup.IllustrativePhotovietnamnet.vnHàN?I–Vi?tNammoveduponeplacetorank71stamong193countriesinthe2024editionoftheUnitedNations(UN)E-GovernmentSurvey–AcceleratingDigitalTransformationforSustainableDevelopment,whichwaslaunchedbytheUNonWednesday.Accordingtothereport,Vi?tNam,scoring0.7709intheE-GovernmentDevelopmentIndex(EGDI),wasintheveryhighEGDIgroup.Thecountrywasrankedfifthamong11ASEANmembers.ThatVi?tNamandmanyothercountriesadvancedfromthehightotheveryhighgroupreflectstheirsuccessesinstrengtheningdigitalinfrastructure,expandingInternetconnectivity,andimplementingrobustdigitalgovernmentframeworks,theUNsaid,statingthatVietnamssignificantinvestmentsindigitalpublicservicesarereflectedinitsimprovedEGDIposition.TheUNsuggestednations,scoringveryhighintheTelecommunicationsInfrastructureIndex,acceleratedigitaldevelopmentbyimprovingonlineservicesandhumancapitaldevelopment.ThisyearseditionofthesurveypresentsDenmark,EstoniaandSingaporeasleadingthe2024digitalgovernmentrankingofthe193UNmembersstates,scoringthehighestwhenitcomestothescopeandqualityofonlineservices,thestatusoftelecommunicationinfrastructureandhumancapacity.Runners-upinthehighestdigitalratingclassareRepublicofKorea,Iceland,SaudiArabia,UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland,Australia,Finland,Netherlands,UnitedArabEmirates,Germany,Japan,Sweden,Norway,NewZealand,SpainandBahrain.RegionalleadersareSouthAfrica(Africa),theUS(Americas),Singapore(Asia),Denmark(Europe)andAustralia(Oceania).Thesurveyshowsthatsignificantstrideshavebeenmadetodigitalgovernance,boostedbyinvestmentsinresilientinfrastructureandcutting-edgetechnologieslikeartificialintelligence,cloudcomputingandbroadband.Yet,whiledigitaltransformationhassparkedinnovationandgrowth,particularlyintheprivatesector,manycountriesstillfacehurdlesinfullyleveragingtheseadvancementstoenhancepublicservicesandparticipation,keycomponentsforachievingtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).Owingtoremarkableimprovementsinserviceprovisionandtelecommunicationsinfrastructure,theglobalEGDIaveragehasincreasedoverallwiththeproportionofthepopulationlaggingindigitalgovernmentdevelopmentdecreasingfrom45percentin2022to22.4percentin2024.ThisprogressislargelyduetosignificantadvancementsinAsia,andsteadyimprovementintheAmericas,wheremorecountrieshavejoinedtheveryhighEGDIgroup.Thereportrecommendscountriesdigitaliseallpublicservices,improvetelecommunicationsinfrastructure,andlegalenvironmentfordigitaldevelopment,particularlysuchpioneeringtechnologiesasAIandcloudcomputing,andcreatefavourableconditionsforthepublictoengageinpolicyanddecisionmaking.–VNSThedeputyagricultureministerNguy?nHoàngHi?pchairsthemeeting.—PhotofromtheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentHàN?I—TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentreceivedemergencyaidonWednesdayforthoseaffectedbyTyphoonYagi,withcontributionsfromvariousinternationalorganisationsandgovernments.Duringtheceremony,DeputyMinisterNguy?nHoàngHi?packnowledgedthewidespreadimpactandsignificantdevastationcausedbythetyphoon.Despiteaproactiveresponsefromthegovernmentandrelevantministries,extensivedamagefromthestormhasresultedinsevereconsequences,withinitiallossestimatesrangingfrom$2billionto$2.5billion.Theeconomiclossesareconsiderable,butthisisjustthebeginning,asitdoesnotaccountforthelong-termimpactsthatmoneycannotcompensate,includingthegriefexperiencedbythechildrenandfamilieswholostlovedones,theDeputyMinistersaid.Inthepastfewdays,Vi?tNamhasreceivedemergencysuppliesfromnumerousorganisationsandcountries.Theswiftandpreciseresponsefromembassies,foreigngovernmentsandinternationalorganisationsiscrucialforVi?tNam.Wearecurrentlyassessingtheneedsoftheaffectedareastoensurethataidiseffectivelycoordinated,headded.DeputyMinisterHi?phighlightedthatVi?tNamstoppriorityiseconomicrecovery.Manyfamiliesthathadpreviouslymadeeffortstoescapepovertyarenowbackinimpoverishedconditionsduetothestorm.Consequently,Vi?tNamisseekingsustainedsupportinthefuture,includingassistancewithlivelihoodsanddisasterpreparedness.PaulineTamesis,theUNResidentCoordinatorinVi?tNam,reportedthattheUNhasorganisedassessmentteamstoevaluatethedamagefromTyphoonYagiacrosseightsectors,includingwater,sanitation,health,education,foodassistanceandshelter.ShepledgedtocontinuestrengtheningcapacityandmobilisingresourcestohelpVi?tNamthroughthischallengingperiod.WearecommittedthattheUN,asleadersofthesector,isreadytoproduceajointresponseplanthatwillallowustomobilisethesupportofthedonorsand,inparticular,ensurecoordinationofoureffortssothatwefullysupportthemostvulnerablepopulations,shesaid.AmbassadorIainFrewoftheUKnotedthatrecoveryafteradisastertakestime,andtheUKgovernmenthopestoassistVi?tNamduringtherecoveryandreconstructionphases.Duringtheceremony,USAmbassadorMarcKnapperemphasisedthattheUSwillstandwithVi?tNamduringthisdifficulttimeandrespondaseffectivelyaspossibletosupportaffectedcitizens.WecommendthehardworkofVi?tNamsgovernmentofficials,securityofficersandmilitarypersonnelfortheireffortstoaddresstheneedsofthosewhohavesuffered,heremarked.IndianAmbassadorSandeepAryaexpressedsatisfactionthatemergencyaidfromtheIndiangovernmentandpeoplehasbeenpromptlydeliveredtothoseimpactedbythefloods,notingthattheIndianbusinesscommunityandresidentsinVi?tNamarealsoextendingsupportindividuallyincoordinationwithlocalauthorities.Inclosingtheceremony,DeputyMinisterNguy?nHoàngHi?pextendedheartfeltgratitudeforthesupportfromvariouscountriesandinternationalorganisationsinhelpingVi?tNamrecoverfromtheimpactsofTyphoonYagi,expressingadesireforcontinuedassistanceduringthereconstructionphase.Todate,preliminaryestimatesshowthattheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,withsupportfromtheMinistryofForeignAffairsandotherstakeholders,hasmobilisedover$13millionincommitmentsandreceived200tonnesofreliefsuppliesfromthegovernmentsofAustralia,Switzerland,India,Japan(JICA),theASEANAHACentreandvariousUNagencies(UNDP,UNICEF),aswellasSamaritansPurse.Theministryhasefficientlycoordinatedthedistributionofaidtoaffectedareas,includingtoYênBái,LàoCai,CaoB?ng,TuyênQuangandL?ngS?n.Onthesameday,accordingtoinformationfromtheUnitedNationsChildrensFund(UNICEF),theIrishEmbassyannouncedagrantof€250,000(approximatelyVN?6.8billion)torespondtothesevereimpactsofthetyphoon.Thisfunding,providedthroughUNICEF,aimstosupplycleanwaterandsanitationmaterialstoensurethehealthofchildrenandvulnerablehouseholdsaffectedbythedisaster.—VNSSoldiersoftheC?nC?BorderGuardStationpreparesandbagstoreinforceitsheadquartersinpreparationforthetropicaldepressiononWednesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—ProvincesandcitiesincentralVi?tNamarebeingwarnedtobereadyforatropicaldepressionwhichitisfearedcouldstrengthenintoatyphoonbyThursdaymorning.InThanhHóa(chǎn)Province,??MinhTu?n,ChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommitteetoldlocalofficialstocloselymonitorandcontinuouslyupdateinformationontheprogressionofthetropicaldepression,aswellasbeingreadyforanypotentialflooding.DistrictsandThanhHóa(chǎn)Citywereorderedtoimmediatelyimplementsafetymeasuresforvesselsandmaritimeactivitiesandkeepboatsinharbourandadvisethosestillatseatofindasafeshelter.TheprovincialAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentDepartmenthasbeenorderedtocloselymonitorthesituation,collaboratingwithrelevantunitstoensurethesafetyofdikes,reservoirsandirrigationsystemsandtopaycloseattentiontoharvestautumncropsandprotectaquaticresources.InthecoastalQu?ngBìnhProvince,abanonseaactivitieswillcommencefrommidnightonThursdayuntilconditionsaredeemedsafe.Fishingteamsatseawereadvisedtomaintaincommunicationandsupportoneanotherinemergencies,whilemeasuresforsecuringassetsonraftsandfishinghutswerealsobeingimplemented.Districtsandtownswereassignedtoinspectareasatriskofflashfloods,landslidesandexecutecontingencyplansforstorms,heavyrainfall,flashfloods,andlandslides,includingtheevacuationofresidentstosaferlocations.Particularattentionshouldbegiventohigh-riskareassuchasPhòngKh?ngHillin??cHóa(chǎn)Commune,Hamlet5inQuy??tTownandR?cVillageinH?ngHóa(chǎn)Commune,alongwiththestockpilingoffoodandessentialsuppliesincaseareasarecutoffforalongtime.Officialsarebeingurgedtokeepincommunicationwithresidentswhowerestillinforestsandtocallthembacksafelybeforetheonsetofanyflooding.Trafficcontrolandguidancemustbearrangedatlow-lyingcrossingsandfloodedareas,withthetemporarysuspensionofoperationsatfloatingbridgesandferriesduringsignificantrainfall.InQu?ngTr?Province,asofWednesday,all2,280vesselsintheprovincereceivedwarningsaboutthetropicaldepressionintheEastSea,promptingthemtomovetosafety.Localunitsassessedtheconditionofdamsandreservoirstoidentifyandrepairanydamage,whilealsodevelopingandupdatingdisasterresponseplansforcriticalinfrastructureanddownstreamareas.ChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeV?V?nH?ngdirectedcoastaldistrictsandC?nC?Islandofficialstocontinueguidingandmanagingvessels,includingtouristboats,ensuringtheirsafeevacuationfromhazardousareasortosheltersandensuringthesafetyoftouristsontheisland.Meantime,Qu?ngNg?iProvincesuspendedallmaritimeactivities,includingpassengertransporttoLyS?nIsland,startingfromWednesdaynoonuntilweatherconditionsreturnedtonormal.ChairmanoftheprovincesPeoplesCommitteeNguy?nHoàngGiangtoldrelevantunitstokeeptrackofvesselsatsea,informingthemofthestormstrajectorytoensuresafeevacuationfromdangerousareas.TheprovincialEducationandTrainingDepartmentwastaskedtomakeadecisiontotemporarilycloseschoolsifneeded.InQu?ngNamProvince,ColonelHoàngV?nM?n,PoliticalCommissaroftheProvincialBorderGuardCommand,reportedthatborderguardpostswerecloselymanagingtheactivitiesofvessels,ensuringthesafetyofresidents,propertyandaquacultureontheislandsandalongthecoast.Tornado,heavyrainsInHàT?nhProvince,Nguy?nKh?cPhong,PartySecretaryofTh?nhL?cCommuneinL?cHàDistrict,reportedthatatornadocausedbythetropicaldepressiondamagedthreehomesandseveralstructuresinNamS?nhamlet,uprootingabout200coastaltrees.Followingtheincident,localauthoritiesmobilisedcommunitymembers,includingtheWomensUnionandveteranstoquicklyrepairroofsanddamagedstructures.TheHàT?nhadministrationalsoinstructedlocalauthoritiesincoastalandmountainousdistrictstoassesshigh-riskareasforflashfloods,landslidesandthenevacuatelocalresidents.TheNationalCentreforMeteorologyandHydrologysaidthatthetropicaldepressionwaspredictedtocauseheavyrainfallbetweenWednesdayandFridayacrossthenorthandcentralregions,withrainfalltotalsrangingfrom100to300mmandexceeding500mminsomeplaces.BetweenWednesdayandThursday,theCentralHighlandsandsouthernregionswouldalsoexperiencemoderatetoheavyrain,withsomeareasseeingupto150mm.Rainfallwasexpectedtobemostintenseintheafternoonsandevenings.HeadoftheforecastingcentresofficeNguy?nV?nH??ngsaidthatthetropicaldepressionwaslikelytostrengthenintoatyphoononThursday,movingprimarilywestwardbeforeshiftingtoawest-northwesttrajectorytowardthecentralprovinces.Withtheforecastedrainfall,mountainousareasfromHàT?nhProvincetoQu?ngNg?iProvincemusremainvigilantabouttherisksofflashfloodsandlandslides.By7amonThursday,thetyphoonwasprojectedtobemovingsouthwestatabout20km/h,locatedapproximately210kmsoutheastofQu?ngTr?Provinceand120kmeastof?àN?ng.—VNS

HCMCityhasbeenmakinganefforttobringhomelesspeopleandchildrenintosocialsupportcentres.—Photothanhnien.vnHCMCITY—HCMCityisbringinghomelesspeopleintosocialshelters,contributingtotacklingtheissueofbeggarsandpettycrimes.AccordingtoarecentconferencebytheHCMCityDepartmentofLabour,WarInvalids,andSocialAffairs,thecityhasbeenimplementingapolicytosupporthomelesspeople,beggars(includingchildren)andothergroupsinneedofurgentprotectionforthelastyear.Duringthistime,over2,350homelesspeopleweremovedtosocialshelters,a49percentincreaseyear-on-year.Thisincludes145children,336elderlypeople,over1,000working-agepeople(16to60yearsold),92physicallydisabledpeople,368mentallydisabledpeople,andothers.Over1,000ofthesehomelesspeoplehaveregisteredaddressesinothercitiesandprovinces,andover500ofthemdonothaveaddresses.ThemunicipalDepartmentofLabour,WarInvalids,andSocialAffairsalsohandled220casesofindividualsinneedofurgentprotection.ItworkedwithrelevantauthoritiestoprovideIDcardswithembeddedchipsandsetupdigitalidentityaccountsforover1,500people,andprocessedmorethan300casesofindividualswithoutidentificationdocuments.Nguy?nT?ngMinh,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofLabour,WarInvalids,andSocialAffairsinHCMCity,saidthattheseresultswereduetotheclosecooperationbetweendepartmentsandlocalauthorities.Thenumberofhomelesspeopleandcriminalincidents,especiallytheftanddrug-relatedcrimes,hasdecreased,improvingbothpublicsafetyandurbanappearance.However,homelessnessstillpersistsduetoeconomicissues,withmanypeopleunabletohavestablejobs,hesaid.Peoplefromdifferentregions,sufferingfromdifferenthardships,havemigratedtothesoutherneconomiccentreinanattempttomakealiving.Thiscontinuestoputpressureonthecityandtheystruggletofullyaddresstheissueofpanhandling,particularlyduringholidaysandfestiveseasons,andatareassuchasreligioussites,busstations,petrolstations,andtraditionalmarkets.Ontheotherhand,somehomelesspeopletrytoavoiddetectionfromtheauthoritiesbypretendingtoselllotteryticketsandothersmallitems.Certainindividualsareexploitingandinstructingbeggars(includingchildren)tooperateinwaysthatallowthemtostayundertheradar,hesaid.TheDepartmentofLabour,WarInvalids,andSocialAffairshasproposedthatthemunicipalPeoplesCommitteedirectrelevantauthoritiestostepuppublicawarenessefforts,encouragecommunitysupport,andimprovecoordinationtohelpvulnerablegroups,homelesspeople,andthoseneedingurgentprotection.Thecitys1022hotlineisavailabletoreceivereportsfromthepubliconchildrenorhomelessbeggarssothatauthoritiescanprovidetimelysupport.HCMCitycurrentlyhas16publicsocialsupportcentres,caringfor6,505people.Therearealso64privatesocialsupportcentreshousing3,177people.—VNSThesigningceremonybetweenEmbassyofIrelandandUNICEFVi?tNamforthe€250,000fundingtohelpUNICEFinprovidingrelieftotyphoon-hitregionsofVi?tNam.—PhotocourtesyofUNICEFVi?tNamHàN?I—TheEmbassyofIrelandinVi?tNamonSeptember18hasannouncedfundingof€250,000tosupportUNICEFinprovidingcleanwater,sanitation,andhygienesupporttovulnerablechildrenandfamiliesaffectedbythetyphoonYagiinnorthernregionofVi?tNam.Followingarapidneedsassessment,conductedbytheGovernmentofVi?tNamincollaborationwithresidentUNagencies,anddatacollectedthroughsectorcoordinationmechanisms,UNICEFhasidentifiedcriticalgapsinwater,sanitation,andhygiene(WASH)servicesastopprioritiesfortheinitialemergencyresponse.Irelands€250,000contributionwilldirectlysupporttheseefforts,ensuringthatfamiliesreceiveimmediateassistanceintheformofcleanwaterandaccesstosanitationfacilities.Thiswillincludewatertanks,waterfilters,soap,handsanitisersandwaterpurificationtablets.AmbassadorofIrelandtoVi?tNamDeirdreNíFhallúin,saidthatIrelandiscommittedtosupportingVi?tNamduringthistimeofgreatneed.Ourcontributionof€250,000reflectsoursolidaritywiththepeopleofVi?tNamandourcommitmenttoaddressingthemosturgentneedsofthoseaffected.ByworkingwithUNICEF,weareensuringthatoursupportreachesthemostvulnerable—particularlychildren—byprovidingaccesstocleanwaterandsanitation,whicharecrucialforpreventingdiseaseandsafeguardinghealth.Weofferourheartfeltcondolencestothosewhohavelostfamilymembers,andourthoughtsarewiththosewhohavelosttheirhomesandlivelihoods.UNICEFRepresentativeinVi?tNamSilviaDanailov,acknowledgedtheEmbassyofIrelandscontribution,statingthatWhenemergencieshit,childrenarethemostaffectedandtheyareourfirstpriority.ThroughthesupportoftheEmbassyofIreland,wewillbeabletoprovidecleanwaterandsanitationtothemostaffectedfamiliestohelpthemcopewiththeeffectsoftheflooding.WearegratefulforthestrongsupportfromtheEmbassyofIreland,whichisalignedtotheprioritiesidentifiedbytheGovernmentofVi?tNam.Therecentfloodshaveseverelydisruptedaccesstosafewaterandsanitation,whichareessentialforthehealthandwell-beingofchildrenandfamilies.ThankstoIrelandssupport,UNICEFcannowaccelerateitsresponse,ensuringthataffectedcommunitiesreceivethecleanwater,hygienesupplies,andsanitationservicestheydesperatelyneed,sheadded.ThiscontributionispartofIrelandslongstandingcommitmenttohumanitarianaidanddisasterresponse,furtherstrengtheningthepartnershipbetweenIrelandandVi?tNam.—VNS

CoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandonSeptember16kickedofftheIlovenationalseaandislandscontestforsecondaryschoolstudentsinHCMCity,andBàR?a-V?ngTàuandBìnhThu?nprovinces.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGBàR?A-V?NGTàU—CoastGuardRegionNo.3CommandonMonday(September16)launcheditsIlovenationalseaandislandscontestforsecondaryschoolstudentsinHCMCity,andBàR?a-V?ngTàuandBìnhThu?nprovinces.Thecontestisexpectedtoattracttheparticipationof28,929studentsfrom33secondaryschoolsinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesBàR?acity,BìnhThu?nProvincesTuyPhongDistrict,andHCMCitysNhàBèDistrict.Thecontestaimstospreadbasicknowledgeaboutthecountrysseaandislands,theVi?tNamPeoplesArmy,theVi?tNamCoastGuard,regulationsofVietnameselawandinternationaltreatiesrelatedtotheseaandislands,andthehistoryofthenationsandlocalpeoplestraditionsofbuildinganddefendingthecountry.ItwillbeimplementedfromSeptember16to28,andisdividedintotworounds.ThefirstroundwillbeanonlinecompetitionfromSeptember16to20.Inthesecondround,100outstandingstudentswillbeselectedtocompeteinpersononSeptember24,26and28.Speakingatthecontestlaunchingceremony,ColonelLêV?nTú,PoliticalCommissaroftheCoastGuardRegion3Command,saidthecontestisdesignedtohaveapowerfulsocialimpactandprovideahealthy,useful,effectiveandpracticalplaygroundforstudents.Thestudentswillbeequippedwithpracticalknowledgetofosterloveforthecountrysseaandislandsandthenspreadthislovetotheirrelativesandfamilies,contributingtothecauseofbuildinganddefendingtheSocialistRepublicofVi?tNam,hesaid.Heaskedtheschoolsboardofdirectorsandteacherstoclearlyannouncethecontestsrulesandcreatefavourableconditionsforstudentstoparticipateinthecontest.Healsoaskedthecontestsorganisingcommitteetoregularlymonitorthecontesttoensureitisconductedaccurately,objectively,andfairly.Sincethebeginningof2024,theCoastGuardRegionNo.3Commandhasorganisedfourcontestsat38secondaryschoolsinsouthernprovincesandcitieswiththeparticipationof35,000students,andawarded210scholarshipsand65bicyclestostudentsindifficultcircumstances.—VNS

A28-year-oldpatientreceivestreatmentforkidneyfunctiondeclinein??kL?kProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguyênDungHàN?I—Kidneydiseasesarebecomingmorecommonamongyoungerpeople,withmanypatientsonlyawareoftheirconditionsatthestagewhenemergencydialysisisrequired.Dr.Nguy?nBách,headoftheDepartmentofNephrologyandHemodialysisinHCMCitysTh?ngNh?tHospital,revealedthataccordingtoscreeningstatistics,about8.75percentofthenationalpopulationisatriskforkidneydiseases.Statisticsalsoshowthatsixtoeightoutof100peoplehavekidneydiseaseswithnosymptoms.Whilemostpatientswithend-stagerenaldisease(ESRD)aretypically60-65yearsold,Vi?tNamisseeingashifttoyoungeragegroups.Inmostcasesforpatientsaged60-65,thecauseofkidneyfailuremainlystemsfromdiabetesorhypertension.However,amongyoungerpeople,itistypicallyduetoglomerulardiseases,saidthedoctor.Glomerulardiseasesaffectverysmallbloodvesselsinthekidneysthathelpremovewasteproductsfromtheblood.Mostglomerulardiseasesshownosymptoms,andcoupledwiththefactthatmanypeopledonthavethehabitofgoingtoregularhealthcheck-ups,alotofpatientsonlyfindoutabouttheirkidneyconditionswhentheyalreadyrequireemergencydialysis,saidDr.Bách.Symptomsemergedwhenthediseasehadalreadyprogressedtoaseverestage,notedthedoctor,addingthatTh?ngNh?tHospitalwasseeinganoverwhelmingnumberofpatientswithend-stagekidneydiseaserequiringdialysisortransplants.V??ngThúyAnh,aresidentofHCMCitysDistrict12,toldS?ckh?e??is?ng(HealthLife)newspaper:Lastmonth,myhusbandexperiencedswellinginhishandsandfeetandfrequentnighttimeurinationwithdarkurine.Whenhewentforacheck-up,hewasdiagnosedwithstagethreekidneydisease.Meanwhile,theCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?khascountedabout550casesofchronickidneydiseases,withmanyofthepatientsundertheageof60.Theregionsgeneralhospitalistendingtoabout200patientsrequiringdialysis,about17.5percentoftheminthe18-35agegroup.Theyoungestisonly16yearsold.Dr.HoàngTh?Th?yTiênfromtheDepartmentofIntensiveCareandToxicologyattheCentralHighlandsgeneralhospitalsaidthattheriskofkidneydiseasesamongyoungpeoplehadincreasedfrom6percentto15percent.Thisrisecouldbeattributedtoincreasingratesofdiabetesandhypertensionamongyoungeragegroups,inadditiontothelackofphysicalexerciseandoverconsumptionofhigh-fatandhigh-proteinfood.Commonunhealthyhabitssuchasstayinguplate,consumingalcoholandsmokingalsoleadtoahigherriskofmetabolicdysfunctions,whichinturnincreasethelikelihoodofkidneydiseases.Vi?tNamcurrentlyhasabout400healthfacilitiesofferingdialysisorbloodfiltrationservicesforabout30,000patientswithESRDeachyear.However,thisrepresentsonlyabout30percentofthetotaldemandfordialysisinthecountry.Nguy?nH?uTú,generalsecretaryoftheVi?tNamYoungPhysiciansAssociation,saidthatearlydetectionandtreatmentofchronickidneydiseasewouldhelpslowdeclinesinkidneyfunction.Renalreplacementtherapycouldbringlong-termeconomicbenefitsandreducetheburdenonthehealthcaresystem,headded.AccordingtoDr.Bách,whilekidneydiseasesarenon-infectious,theycanbedangerous,especiallywhenclinicalsymptomshaveemerged.Therefore,regularscreeningsarerecommendedforearlydetectionandintervention.Globalstatisticsrevealedthatchronickidneydiseasesareranked12thamongthemostcommoncausesofdeath,accountingfor4.6percent.Vi?tNamestimatedthatover8.7millionadultsinthecountry,or12.8percentofthenationalpopulation,areaffectedbychronickidneydiseases.—VNSVietnamesepoliceescortKimHyeongGwontotheairportforhisreturntoRepublicofKoreatofacejustice.—Photonld.com.vnHàN?I—ASouthKoreannationalwantedformurderinThailandhasbeenarrestedinVi?tNam.KimHyeongGwon,39,isaccusedofdisposingofthevictimsbodyinaplasticcontaineranddumpingitintoareservoir.KimwasapprehendedbyVietnamesepolicein??ng?aDistrict,HàN?iCity,onSeptember12underaninternationalarrestwarrant.Afterbeingheldfor11days,hewashandedovertoSouthKoreanauthorities.HeadmittedtofleeingThailandaftercommittingthecrime,travelingthroughLaos,andillegallyenteringVi?tNam.Thevictim,RohEuiJong,a34-year-oldSouthKoreannational,wentmissingwhentravelinginThailandinApril.Hismotherreceivedaransomdemandof3millionbaht(US$91,600),promptingapoliceinvestigation.Thebodyofthevictimwaslaterfoundinaconcrete-filledcontainerinMapPrachanReservoirinBangLamungDistrict,Thailand.Thevictimsdisfiguredfingersraisedsuspicionsthatthekillershadtriedtoconcealthevictimsidentity.DNAtestingwithrelativesultimatelyconfirmedthevictimsidentity.Kimisthethirdsuspectinthecase.Thefirstsuspect,LeeRoun,wascapturedonMay12inJeongeupCity,RepublicofKorea.Thesecondsuspect,LeeYoungJin,managedtoescapetoCambodiabutwaseventuallyapprehendedinajointoperationandreturnedtotheRepublicofKoreainJuly.—VNS

HàN?isPartySecretaryBùiTh?MinhHoàiannouncesthecancellationonTuesday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—HàN?isauthoritieshaveannouncedthecancellationofallfireworksdisplaysacrossthecityduringtheupcoming70thanniversaryoftheCapitalsLiberation(October10).ThismovecomesinresponsetothedevastatingaftermathofTyphoonYagi,whichcausedwidespreaddamageandlossoflifeinnorthernVi?tNam.InastatementonTuesday,HàN?isPartySecretaryBùiTh?MinhHoàiemphasisedthatthemovereflectsthecityscommitmenttoitspeople,showcasingthespiritofHàN?iforthenation,withthenation.Whileculturalandartisticeventswillproceedasplanned,thecityadministrationwillreassessthescopeofeachevent,prioritisingpracticalandmeaningfulactivitiesthatinvolvethecommunity.ViceChairwomanoftheCentralCommissionforInformationandEducation?inhTh?Maicommendedthedecision,describingitasatimelyandnecessaryshowofsupportforthoseaffectedbythetyphoon.Adayearlier,theHàN?iCapitalMilitaryCommandproposedlimitingfireworkstoasingledisplayatHoànKi?mLakeinsteadofmultiplelocationsacrossthecity.Earlier,onSeptember21,theMinistryofNationalDefencedecidedtocancelthemilitaryparadesfortheupcoming80thanniversaryoftheVi?tNamPeoplesArmyandthe35thAll-PeoplesNationalDefenceFestival(December22,1944-2024),enablingunitstoprioritisepost-typhoonrecoveryandassistthoseaffectedbythedisaster.—VNSThefirstpassengersontheflightsetfootin?àN?ngonTuesday.—VNA/VNSPhoto?àN?NG—FlightMH748ofMalaysiaAirlines,carrying160passengersfromKualaLumpur,landedat?àN?ngInternationalAirportonDecember24,markingitsfirstflightontheKualaLumpur-?àN?ngroute.Thenewroute,whichoperateswithafrequencyofsevenflightsperweek,willhelpraisethetotalnumberofflightsbetweenVi?tNamscentralcityof?àN?ngandMalaysiascapitalofKualaLumpurto28perweek.TánV?nV??ng,DeputyDirectorofthemunicipalDepartmentofTourism,saidMalaysiaalwaysranksinthetop10sourcesofinternationaltravellersto?àN?ng.Lastmonth,?àN?ngCitysleaderspaidaworkingtriptoMalaysiaandmetwithMalaysiaAirlinestopromotethecentralcitystourismandtheKulaLumpur-?àN?ngroute,henoted.V??ngwentontosaythatthecitystourismindustrywillcontinuetocoordinatewithMalaysiaAirlinestoorganiseFamtrip,Presstrip,andKOLsdelegationstoexperience?àN?ngtourismandsupportcommunicationactivitiestopromotetheVi?tNamscentralcitytoMalaysiantourists.Accordingtotheofficial,withitsextensiveflightnetworkacrossAsia,Europe,andOceania,coveringnearly1,000destinationsinover170countriesandterritories,MalaysiaAirlinesisexpectedtoserveasabridgetohelp?àN?ngexpanditstourismmarkettoattractivedestinationsworldwide.—VNS

TheCoastGuardRegionNo.3Commandsship2011onSeptember22foundthebodyofafishermanwhowentmissingafterarecentshipcollisionoffthecoastofBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince.—PhotoCourtesyofVCGBàR?A-V?NGTàU—ThebodyofafishermanwhowentmissingafterarecentshipcollisionoffthecoastofthesoutherncoastalprovinceofBàR?a-V?ngTàuwasfoundat10amonSeptember22.TheCoastGuardRegionNo.3Commandannouncedthatthecollisionoccurredataround1:30pmonSeptember19betweenaPanama-flaggedcargoshipTransformerOlandafishingshipBV99778TSregisteredinBàR?a-V?ngTàuabout22nauticalmilessoutheastoffC?n??oIslandinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince.ItcausedthefishingshipBV99778TStosink,withall14crewmembersfallingintothesea.Thankstothetimelysupportofnearbyvessels,12fishermenwererescuedandbroughtashoreforemergencytreatment,whiletwoothersremainedmissingaftertheaccident.Uponreceivingtheinformation,theCoastGuardRegionNo.3CommanddispatcheditsShip2011tourgentlyapproachthescene,andcontacttheshipTransformerOlandothervehiclesoperatingneartheareatosearchforthetwomissingfishermen.Thevictimsbodywasfoundaftermorethantwodaysandnightsofsearchinginharshweatherconditions.ThebodywasthenhandedtoSAR413vesseloftheVi?tNamMaritimeSearchandRescueCoordinationCentreIIIundertheVi?tNamMaritimeAdministration,andwasbroughtashoreataround12:50pmonthesameday.Ship2011incollaborationwithfunctionalforcesandotherfishingboatsarecontinuingtosearchfortheremainingmissingfisherman.—VNSYouthdelegatespresentreliefsuppliestotheschoolprincipal.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—YouthunionsfromthreeVietnamNewsAgencysunits-Vi?tNamNews,VietnamplusandtheNewsDepartmentforForeignService-madeatriptoLàoCaiProvinceinthenorthwestonMondaytoprovidesupporttoNg?iTh?uSemi-boardingEthnicSchool.TheschoolislocatedonahillinBátXátDistrictsALùCommune,oneofthecommunitieswhichwerehithardestbyTyphoonYagiearlierthismonth.Atyphoon-triggeredlandslideonSeptember9buriedfourhousesandclaimedsevenlivesinthecommunity.AmongthevictimswerestudentSùngTh?L?andherentirefamily.Theschoolwasnotspared,asaportionofitsdininghallwasdestroyed.PrincipalT?DuyTìnhissuedapleaforhelptorepairtheschoolsdamagedfacilitiesandre-supplyhisaffectedstudentswithfoodandbooks.AndtheVietnamNewsAgencysYouthunionshaverespondedtohiscall.Theschoolprincipalpointstothedamageddininghall.—VNA/VNSPhotoThethreeunitsdeliveredareliefshipmenttotheschool,consistingof300kgofrice,50cartonsofbottledwater,50cartonsofsausages,300setsofclothing,1,600notebooksand600pensanddonatedVN?30million(US$1,220)tohelppayforrepairsforthedamageddininghall.ThesedonationsweremadepossiblethroughthesupportofemployeesfromthethreeVietnamNewsAgencysunitsandtwobusinesses,BAFVietnamAgricultureJSCandAAnFoodJSC.GiaoHàngTi?tKi?mJSCprovidedfreeshippingforthegoods.PrincipalTìnhexpresseddeepgratitudefortheaid,sayingthattheschoolisalwaysworriedduringrainyseasonsduetoitslandslide-pronelocation.Hehopesitcanberelocatedtoasaferplacesoonsohisstudentscanfocusontheirstudieswithouttheconstantfearofnaturaldisasters.Withasinglewish,TìnhsaidIwouldhopetoseeALùbefreefromtheconstantthreatoflandslidesthatputmystudentsatrisk.—VNSTheshipmentbeingunloadedattheschool.—VNA/VNSPhoto