Bob Enyart, anti-vaxxer pastor and homophobic anti-abortion radio host, dies of COVID_f8bet
RocksandsoilblocktheroutetoBaVìNationalPark.—VNA/VNSPhotosV?nC?nhHàN?I—TherouteleadingtoBaVìNationalParkinHàN?ihasreportedlyerodedsinceearlySeptemberduetotheimpactofTyphoonYagi.Accordingtothenationalparksmanagementboard,duetotheimpactofthetyphoon,theareaexperiencedstrongwindsandcontinuousheavyrainfromSeptember6toSeptember10,particularlyonthenightofSeptember7.Asectionoftheparksinternalroadwaywaserodedandseverelydamaged.Asectionofroadcracksdof8betwnduetotheimpactsofTyphoonYagi.Amediumvoltagepowerlinesupplyingelectricitytotheparkalsoexperiencedsomebrokenpoles,whiletheroofoftheinformationcentrewasblownaway.BaVìNationalParkhascutdownfallentreesontheroad,clearedlandslides,placedwarningsignsandbarriersandassignedforestrangerstoprovidetrafficsafetyguidancetodrivers.Erosionononesideoftheroute.Vehicleshavebeenbannedtoensuresafety.Motorbikesandcarswithlessthan16seatscannowtravelfromtheparksgatetoaltitudesof400m,600m,700mand1,000m.Observationandcompliancewithtrafficsignsarerecommended.Vehiclesarestillbannedonsectionsofroadfromanaltitudeof1,000mtotheUpper(Th??ng)Temple.Pedestriansarelimitedasmuchaspossible,exceptwhereabsolutelynecessary.FallentreesblocktherouteleadingtoUpperTemple.BaVìNationalPark,about60kmwestofHàN?i,isaspiritualrelicsitelocatedonthetopofT?nViênMountain.TheUpperTempleisnestledonahighelevationwithinthepark.—VNS
Unloadingreliefaidfromhelicoptertofloot-hitNguyênBìnhDistrict,CaoB?ngProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—AhelicopterofRegiment916oftheAirDefence-AirForceServicesAirDivision371tookoffatHoàL?cAirportinHàN?ionThursdaytocarryoutrescuemissionsandtransportessentialsuppliestoflood-affectedareasinNguy?nBìnhDistrict,ofthenorthernmountainousprovinceofCaoB?ng.TheMi-171helicopterarrivedatGiaLamAirporttobeloadedwithreliefsuppliesbeforeheadingtoCaoB?ng.Thereliefgoodsandessentialsupplieswillbehandedovertolocalmilitaryforcesfordistributingtolocalpeople.AccordingtoLieutenantColonelHàXuanNg?c,chiefnavigatoroftheHelicopterRegiment916,theunitisscheduledtooperate3to4reliefflightstoCaoB?ngontheday,witheachtransportingabout2tonnesofreliefgoods,includingdrinkingwater,dryfood,milk,andinstantnoodles.Inadditiontotransportingreliefsupplies,thehelicopterscrewarepreparedtodeliveremergencyservicesincasetheyencounterpeopleindistressneedingassistance.Thesameday,ahelicopteroperatedbytheNorthernHelicopterCompanyfromtheMinistryofNationalDefencesBrigade18alsoleftGiaLamAirport,carryingreliefgoodstoflood-affectedareasinNguy?nBìnhDistrict.Previously,onSeptember11,ahelicopterofthecompanyalsotransportedreliefgoodstoCaoB?ng.—VNSMilitaryofficersbringingaidpackagestothehelicopteratGiaLamAirport,HàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoAswaterlevelsbegintorecede,trafficonCh??ngD??ngBridgeissafe.—VNA/VNSPhotosHàN?I—AfterreachingitspeakonWednesdaynight,thewaterleveloftheRedRiverinHàN?ifellbelowAlertLevel2andisexpectedtocontinuerecedingslowly,accordingtoofficialsinthedisasterteam.Nguy?nXuan??i,DirectoroftheHàN?isDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentandDeputyHeadofthecitysSteeringCommitteeforNaturalDisasterPreventionandSearchandRescue,statedthatalthoughwaterlevelsaredecreasing,thefloodsituationremainscomplicatedandriverlevelsarestillhigh.Heemphasisedthatlocalauthoritiesmustremainvigilantinmonitoringandpatrollingdikesandshouldnotbecomecomplacent.ThemiddleplaininRedRiverbeginstoemergeasthewaterrecedes.Toensuredikesafetyandproactivelyrespondtoadverseweatherconditions,thecommitteerequestedthatalldistrict-levelsteeringcommitteesfocusonenhancingdikepatrolsandinspections,reviewingallmonitoringpointsandsupplyingnecessarytools,documents,andspecialisedtrainingforpatrolteams.ThecommitteeholdsfullresponsibilitybeforethecitysPeoplesCommitteeifdikesafetyissuesoccurduetonon-compliancewithpatrolandprotectionregulations.ThewaterlevelinfrontofsomehouseholdsalongtheRedRiverhasdecreasedby10to15cm,makingtraveleasier.TheHàN?iDepartmentofTransporthasmobiliseditstrafficinspectorsandemergencyvehiclestoensuretrafficsafetyaroundtheclockinfloodedareas,managetrafficflowandmaintainroadsafety.ThedepartmenthasalsorequestedtheVi?tNamInlandWaterwaysAdministrationtoproposemeasurestoprotecttransportationinfrastructure,especiallyriver-crossingbridges,frompotentialhazards.Inparticular,theadministrationisurgedtocloselymonitorobstaclessuchasdriftingbargesorboatsalongnationalwaterways,includingtheRed,?à,?u?ng,?áy,C?ngandC?uriversthatcouldthreatenthesafetyofbridges.Ifanyobjectsposeacollisionriskwithriver-crossingbridges,theVi?tNamInlandWaterwaysAdministrationmustimmediatelynotifythecitysDepartmentofTransporttoimplementmeasurestoensurethesafetyofbothbridgesandthepublic.EnsuringdikesafetyOnThursday,ChairmanoftheHàN?isPeoplesCommitteeTr?nS?ThanhsignedDirectiveNo16/C?-UBND,urgingfocusonrespondingtomajorfloodsandensuringthesafetyofdikesacrossthecity.Inrecentdays,HàN?ihasexperiencedwidespreadheavyrainfall,leadingtofloodsonseveralriversandseverefloodinginriverbankareas,threateningthesafetyofthedikesystem.GiventhatthedikesysteminHàN?ihasnotfacedsignificantfloodpressureformanyyears,thereisariskofbarriersbeingcompromised.ResidentsalongtheRedRiverbegincleaningupasthewaterrecedes.FollowingDirectiveNo93/C?-TTgissuedonSeptember11,2024bythePrimeMinisteronrespondingtomajorfloodsandensuringdikesafetyinthenorthernregion,Thanhinstructedvicechairmen,accordingtotheirdesignatedareas,topersonallyoverseekeyareasandlead,direct,expediteandinspectfloodcontrolanddikeprotectionefforts.Resources,materials,machineryandequipmentmustbeprepared,especiallyincriticalandvulnerableareas,topromptlyaddressanydike-relatedissues.ResidentsofV?nKi?pStreetinHaiBàTr?ngDistrictcleantheirhomesasthewaterbeginstorecede.Regularinspectionsofthedikesystemmustbeintensifiedandpatrolandmonitoringactivitiesshouldbestrictlyimplementedduringthefloodseasonaccordingtothealertlevels.Additionally,immediatesafetyplansforresidentslivinginflood-proneareasoutsidetheriverbanks,includingdike-protectedareasatrisk,shouldbeupdatedandimplemented.Authoritiesmustensurenoresidentsremainindangerousareaswhenfloodlevelsrise.—VNSf8bet
AresidentaffectedbyheavyfloodinginNinhBìnhProvincereceivesfoodrelief.—VNA/VNSPhotoTu?nAnhHàN?I—VietnameseandinternationalorganisationshaveannouncedofficialbankaccountswhereyoucandonatetoreliefeffortsforpeopleaffectedbytyphoonYagianditsaftermath.TyphoonYagi,themostpowerfultostrikeVi?tNaminthepastthreedecades,hascauseddevastationacrossnorthernVi?tNam.Sofar,199deadpeoplehavebeenconfirmed,128missingand807injuredinthetyphoonandthefloodsandlandslidesthatfollowed(asof12.30,September12,2024).Donationscanbesenttothefollowingofficialaccounts:A.Vi?tNamFatherlandFrontCentralCommitteeI.VN?accountattheStateTreasuryAccountname:TheOfficeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCentralCommitteeAccountnumber:3713.0.1058784.00000Unitcode:1058784AttheStateTreasuryExchangeII.Bankaccounts1.VietnamJointStockCommercialBankforIndustryandTrade(VietinBank)1.1.VN?accountAccountname:CentralReliefMobilisationCommitteeAccountnumber:CT1111AtVietinBanksHàN?ibranch1.2.USDaccountAccountname:CentralReliefMobilisationCommitteeAccountnumber:110630051111AtVietinBanksHàN?ibranch2.CommercialBankforForeignTradeofVietnam(Vietcombank)2.1.VN?accountAccountname:Vi?tNamFatherlandFront-CentralReliefCommitteeAccountnumber:0011.00.19324182.2.USDaccountAccountname:Vi?tNamFatherlandFront-CentralReliefAccountnumber:001.1.37.193253.8SWCode:BFTVVNVXCashdonationscanbesenttothePlanningandFinanceDepartment(Rooms109and111),theOfficeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFrontCentralCommittee,No.46TràngThiStreet,HàN?i.B.UnitedNationsChildrensFund(UNICEF)inVi?tNamAccountname:QUYNHIDONGLIENHOPQUOCTAIVIETNAMAccountnumber:90154278802AtStandardCharteredBankVietnamNoteforthetransaction:YAGI2024VicePresidentV?Th?ánhXuandeliveredgiftstochildrenpatientsundergoingblooddialysisattheNationalInstituteofHematologyandBloodTransfusioninHàN?ionThursday.—VNA/VNSPhotoQu?cKhánhHàN?I—ViceStatePresidentV?Th?ánhXuanonThursdaypresentedgiftsto200childrenpatientsattheHanoi-basedNationalInstituteofHematologyandBloodTransfusion(NIHBT)ontheoccasionoftheMid-AutumnFestival.Theofficial,accompaniedbyrepresentativesoftheSupportFundforCancerPatients-BrightFuture,laudedthededicationbytheinstitutesdoctorsandworkers,andurgedthemtocarryforwardthesenseofresponsibility.Laudingtheinstitutionscontributionstothevoluntaryblooddonation,Xuanurgedittoplayamoreactiveroleinpublichealthcare,especiallyamidstthepresentnaturaldisasters.InstituteDirectorAssociateProfessor,Dr.Nguy?nHàT?nhsaideachyeartheinstitutereceives500,000bloodunitsthataredeliveredtonearly200hospitalsintheentirenorthernregion,andsomecentrallocalities.Itisreadytosupplybloodtomedicalfacilitiesforemergencytreatmentinfaceofthecurrentwidespreadfloodingthatisdevastatingmanynorthernlocalities,hesaid.—VNSHàN?I—WhileTyphoonYagihaspassed,butitstrailofdestructionisstillverymuchvisibleacrossnorthernVi?tNam.Widespreaddamagesincludesuprootedtrees,damagedsignboardsandtoppledelectricpoles.Manyhomeshavehadtheirroofstornoff,andlocalstreetsremainlitteredwithdebris.Inresponse,provincialPeoplesCommitteeshavetakenswiftaction.Theyhavemobilisedallavailableresourcestoclearroads,restoreelectricityandtelecommunicationsanddeliveressentialsuppliestoaffectedresidents.Thefollowingphotoscapturetheireffortstorestorepeopleslivesfollowingthetyphoon:EnvironmentalworkersandlocalresidentsworktogethertocleanupthestreetsinH?LongCityinthecoastalprovinceofQu?ngNinh.—VNA/VNSPhotoEnvironmentalworkersuseacranetoreplanttreesf8betthatwereuprootedbythetyphooninH?LongCity.Morethan2,000volunteershavejoinedthecityspost-disasterclean-upefforts.—VNA/VNSPhotoMilitaryunitsaredeployedtoclearmudfromroadsinYênBáiCityinthemountainousprovinceofYênBái.—VNA/VNSPhotoAgroupofsoldersuseshoestoscrapemudoffaroadinYênBáiCity.—VNA/VNSPhotoL?ngS?nRedCrossmembersandvolunteersdeliveressentialsuppliestoaffectedpeopleinH?uL?ngDistrictinthemountainousprovinceofL?ngS?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoAtruckisemployedtoremovestormdebrisfromaroadinTràng??nhDistrict,L?ngS?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoMilitaryunitscleanupaschoolinTháiNguyênCityinthenorthernprovinceofTháiNguyên.—VNA/VNSPhoto400militaryandpolicepersonneljointhepost-stormclean-upeffortsinH?iPhòngCity.—VNA/VNSPhoto
Themilitaryforcescleanapre-schoolinTháiNguyênCityaftertheflooding.VNA/VNSPhotoTr?nTrangHàN?I—TheUnitedNationsInternationalChildrensEmergencyFund(UNICEF)hasprovidedwatersuppliestoGovernmentpartnersfordistributiontohouseholds,hospitals,healthfacilitiesandschoolsinthreeprovinceswhichareamongthosemostaffectedbytyphoonYagi.UNICEFhasurgentlydispatched80,000waterpurificationtabletsfortheCentreofDiseaseControlinTháiNguyênProvinceand4,000litresofwatertoLàoCaiProvincialHospitaltoensuredrinkingwaterfor800people.TheUNfundwillalsobedeliveringwaterpurificationtablets,watertanks,ceramicfilters,handsanitisersandsoaptohouseholds,schoolsandhealthcarefacilitiesinYênBáiandLàoCaiprovinces.UNICEFiscommittedtourgentlyprovidingsustainedsupporttotheGovernmentofVi?tNamtoensurechildrenandfamilieshaveaccesstoessentialservices,saidSilviaDanailov,UNICEFsRepresentativeinVi?tNam.Wehavealreadystartedtodeliverlife-savingsupportandaremobilisingresourcestoaddressthemassiveneeds.Toomanychildrenhavehadtheiraccesstoessentialserviceslikecleanwater,sanitation,healthcareandeducationcutoffandswiftactiontorestoretheselifelinesisurgentlyneeded.Thedevastationcausedbythetyphoonisatragicreminderofthedisproportionateimpactextremeweatherevents,intensifiedbyclimatechange,haveonchildren,shesaid.Nearly19millionpeople,including5.5millionchildren,liveinthehardest-hitprovinces,includingLàoCai,TuyênQuang,CaoB?ng,YênBái,Qu?ngNinh,H?iPhòng,HàN?i,TháiBình,H?iD??ng,HoàBình,TháiNguyênandPhúTh?provinces.TyphoonYagiravaged26northernprovinces,leaving324peopledeadormissing,including24children.Ithasdamagedanestimated141,469homes,550healthfacilitiesand805schools,whilearound400,000homeslackaccesstosafewater.Approximatelytwomillionchildrenhavebeenleftwithoutaccesstoeducation,psychosocialsupportandschoolfeedingprogrammes.Nationalauthoritieshaveissuedawarningforcontinuedheavyrain,withflashfloodsandlandslidesstilldevastatingvillagesandcommunitiesinthenorthernprovincesofthecountrywhicharehometoalargenumberofvulnerablecommunities,includingethnicminorities.InresponsetotheGovernmentofVi?tNamsstrongandcommendableeffortstoaddressthedisastersimpact,UNICEFisfocusingonseveralkeyinterventions,includingwater,sanitationsuppliesandsafestoragesolutionstohouseholds,healthfacilitiesandschools.UNICEFisalsodeliveringemergencymedicalsuppliessuchasvaccines,malnutritiontreatments,nutritionsupplementsandhygienekitstohealthcentresinthemostaffectedareas.Tosupportthereopeningofschools,UNICEFisofferingtemporarylearningspacesandeducationalmaterialsforchildrenaffectedbythetraumaofthedisaster.Additionally,emergencykitscontainingessentialitems,includingeducationaltoolsandsupportmaterials,arebeingdistributedtochildrenandfamilies.UNICEFisalsoprovidinghumanitariancashassistancetothemostvulnerablehouseholds,particularlythosewithchildrenandpregnantwomen.Theysaytheyarecurrentlymobilisingresourcestoensureemergencyaidisurgentlyprovided.AninitialUS$11millionisurgentlyrequiredtobeabletodeliveronitsmandatetoassistthemostvulnerablechildren.—VNSAnartistsimpressionoftheHealthScienceInstituteinC?nTh?City.—VNA/VNSPhotoánhTuy?tC?NTH?—ThefirstHealthScienceInstituteintheMekongDeltaissettoopeninthefirstquarterof2025.Theinstitute,locatedinNinhKi?uDistrict,C?nTh?City,willsupportteaching,learningandresearchactivitiesforlecturersandstudentsinhealth-relatedfieldsofNamC?nTh?Universityfromthe2024-25academicyear.TheinstituteisbeinginvestedbyNamC?nTh?University,withNamMi?nNamGroupJointStockCompanyastheprimarycontractor.PrincipalofNamC?nTh?UniversityNguy?nV?nQuang,saidtheinstitutecoveredapproximately26,000sq.m,withaninvestmentofaroundVN?600billion(US$24.3million)forconstructionandequipment.Itishousedwithinaten-storeystructureandwillinclude83functionalroomsand11lecturehalls.After15monthsofconstruction,theinstitutehasnowbeencompletedintermsofanexternalframe,readyforcompletingtheinteriorsandexteriors.Forthe2024-25academicyear,theuniversitywouldadmitstudentsinto42undergraduateprogrammes,prominentlyincludinghealth-relatedfieldssuchasmedicine,includingnursingandpharmacydisciplines,dentistryandlaboratorytechnologies.Notably,theuniversitywillalsowelcome150internationalstudentsfromcountriesincludingIndia,SriLanka,NepalandtheMiddleEast.TheinternationalstudentswouldbeenrolledinhealthprogrammesaccreditedbytheuniversitythroughagreementswiththeVi?tNamMedicalEducations(VMED).Theopeningoftheinstituteissignificant,enhancingpracticaltrainingopportunitiesthroughasimulatedhospitalmodel,saidNguy?nV?nQuang.Thesixthandseventhfloorsoftheinstitutewouldbedesignedasapre-clinicalhospitaltosupportteachinginundergraduateandpostgraduatehealthscienceprogrammes,aswellasstudyforObjectiveStructuredClinicalExaminations(OSCEs)andObjectiveStructuredPracticalExaminations(OSPEs),skilltraininginhospitalsandmedicaltraininginlocalclinics.Otherareasoftheinstitutewouldbededicatedtovariousfunctionalzones,includingoperatingrooms,dentalareas,obstetricsandgynaecology,paediatrics,emergencycare,simulatedpatientroomsandvirtualrealitylaboratories.Accordingtotherecentlyreleased2024Vi?tNamUniversityRankings,NamC?nTh?Universityhasrisento61stplaceoutofover230universitiesnationwide,a37-placeimprovementfrom2023.TheuniversityisalsonowlistedamongreputablemedicalschoolsbytheWorldDirectoryofMedicalSchools.TherecognitionpavesthewayfortheuniversitymedicalstudentstohavetheopportunitytositfortheprestigiousUnitedStatesMedicalLicensingExamination,qualifyingthemasinternationalmedicalprofessionals.—VNS
Adevastatingflashfloodburied35householdsinB?oYênDistrict,LàoCaiProvince.—Photodantri.vnLàOCAI—Ivelosteverything.Mymum,mywifeandmychildren.SurvivorHoàngV?nTh?iweptbitterlyashespoke.HewasshelteringinamakeshiftshelterintorrentialraininLàngN?Village,PhúcKhánhCommune,whereacatastrophicflashfloodburiedall35householdsinB?oYênDistrict,thenorthernmountainousprovinceofLàoCai.Hesatinstunnedsilence,cradlingtwosmallwoodencoffins,whereinsidelayhisone-year-oldchildandhistwo-year-oldniece.Nearbywerethebodiesofhiswife,hismotherandtwoofhischildren.Theyreallgone.Mywife,threechildren,mymotherandmyniecewereallsweptawaybytheflood.Myhomeisdestroyedaswell.AccordingtothelatestreportfromLàoCaiProvincesauthorities,by8amonWednesday,22peoplehadbeenconfirmeddead,with17injured,followingtheflashfloodthatstruckLàngN?Village.OnWednesday,rescueteamsareurgentlysearchingfor73peoplestillmissing.Th?irecalledtheMondaynightwhenheavyrainsfellonthevillage,causingwatertosurgeinthestreamrunningpasthishouse.Seeingthehillbehindtheirhomebeginningtoshowsignsofsliding,Th?idecidedtomovehismotherandchildrentohissistershouseontheothersideofthestream.Webelievedmymotherssafetyandthechildrenweremoreimportant,sowesentthemtowhatseemedlikethesaferhouse,Th?isaid.Thehouse,whichwasconsideredsafehad11ofTh?isrelativesinside.Butbythetimemorningbroke,Th?iwashorrifiedtofindtheirshelterreducedtorubble.Heandhiswifestayedattheirhouse,butonlyhesurvived.HoàngNg?cDi?p,thevillagehead,anothersurvivor,recountedtheterrifyingeventsofTuesdaymorning.Beforetheflashfloodhit,therainwasrelentless.Around6am,villagersheardaloudexplosionandinamatterofseconds,theentirehillcollapsed,buryingpartofthevillage.Nguy?nV?nHành,oneoftheluckysurvivorsafterthedestructiveflashfloodrecentlyburied35householdsinB?oYênDistrict,LàoCaiProvince,istreatedatthedistrictsGeneralHospital.—Photobaolaocai.vnNguy?nV?nHành,anotherresidentofthevillage,wasalsooneoftheluckysurvivors.Hesaidthatwhenthefloodhit,heandhismotherwereholdinghands,runningfromtheirhouse.Shetoldhimtokeeprunning,butinthechaos,theygotseparated.AsIreachedthevillagebridge,thefloodwaterstruck,sweepingme20-30metresaway.Somehow,ImanagedtogetupandcrawltoanearbyhousewhereIwasrescued,hesaid.AnothervillagerNguy?nV?nThinhsaid:Iamtheonlysurvivorinmyfamilyaftertheflooddestroyedeverything.Ataround6am,hisfamilywasinsidewhentheyheardamassivecrash.Inseconds,theearthanddebriscamedown,sweepingmeawayfrommyhousebyabout150m.Iwasburiedinthemudbutmanagedtosurvive.AlocalmilitaryofficialsaidthatConVoiMountainwaslocatedabovethevillage.IntheearlyhoursofTuesday,alargewaterpocketaccumulatedonthemountain.Aftertwomassiveexplosions,thepocketburst,sendingtorrentsofwaterandmuddownintothevillage.Theoncevibrantarea,hometofiveorsixgenerationsofvillagerswasdestroyed,blanketedinmudanddebrisfromtheflood.Noonecouldhavepredictedthis,onevillagersaid.Localresidentstoldreportersthattheareahadneverbeforeexperiencedsuchadisaster,sothelandslidecaughteveryonebycompletesurprise.ChairmanoftheprovincialPeoplesCommitteeTr?nhXuanTr??ngadded:Weneverimaginedtheareawouldbehitbysuchacatastrophiclandslideandflood.RaceagainsttimeforrescueteamsSearchandrescueforcessearchforvictimsofthedevastatingflashflood.—VNA/VNSPhotoAlthoughthelocationofthefloodisfarfromthecentreofthedistrict,makingoperationsextremelydifficultduetocut-offroadsandcommunicationloss,theauthoritieshavemobilisedallavailableforces,racingagainsttimetocarryoutrescueefforts.Onthescene,Tr??nginstructedthedistrictofficialstoassessthesituationandensurethewell-beingoftheaffectedresidents,prioritisingtheprovisionoffood,waterandsheltertothosedisplaced.HealsosaidthattheMilitaryRegion2forcewouldleadthesearchandrescueoperations,whilelocalauthoritiesweremappingtheareatobettercoordinatethesearch.Theaffectedareaisvast,sofocusedsearcheffortsarechallenging,Tr??ngsaid.Weneedtomapouttheswept-awayhouseholds,countingthenumberofpeopleineachone,sowecantargetthesearch.Tr??ngalsoemphasisedensuringthesafetyoftherescueteamsonsite.TheMilitaryRegion2commandhasdeployed300soldierstothecommune,with100soldierssearchingalongtheN?Streamand200othersfocusingonthelandslidearea.TheoperationisbeingdirectlycommandedbyLieutenantGeneralPh?mH?ngCh??ngandtheprovincesPartySecretary??ngXuanPhong.Additionally,around300police,militaryandlocalvolunteersareinvolvedinsearchefforts,providinginformation,guidingandhelpingwithlogistics.However,thesearchoperationhasencounterednumerouschallenges.Theentireareahasbeenlevelledbytheflood,withonlymud,debrisandfloodwaterremaining.Itisestimatedthatoveronemillioncubicmetresofmudhasengulfedthearea.Rescuevehiclesandequipmenthaveyettoreachthesite,whileheavyrainspersist,makingconditionsworse.Phong,whohastakenchargeoftherescuemissionsinceWednesdaymorning,predictedthatthesearchcouldtakeaweekormore,giventhedifficultyofreachingthedisasterarea.Discussingtheoptionofusingsnifferdogs,Phongexpressedconcernsthatthevictimsmaybeburiedfivetosevenmetresdeep,makingitdifficultevenfortraineddogstodetectthem.ColonelNguy?n??cC??ng,politicalcommissaroftheprovincesMilitaryCommand,saidthattheprioritywastocontinuesearchandrescueeffortsandevacuatepeoplefromotherhigh-risklandslidezones.Thesituationonthegroundisextremelycomplicated,withoveramillioncubicmetresofmud,hesaid.Theywereemployingbothmanualmethodsandwaterflushingtechniquestolookforsurvivors,however,thecontinuingrainwasmakingconditionsworseandtheriskoffurtherlandslidesremainshigh,hesaid.Authoritiesarereassessingthegeologicalsituationtoensurethesafetyofthesearchteams,hesaid.—VNS
USveterangroupvisitAOkidsin?àN?ngUSAmbassadortoVi?tNam,MarcKnappertakespartinthevisitbytheUSveterangroupat?àN?ngCitysAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrangecentre.VNSPhotoC?ngThành?àN?NG—AdelegationofUSveteransandtheirrelativespresentedgiftsandexchangedwithAOchildrenandpeoplewithdisabilitiesatthecentrefor?àN?ngCitysAssociationforVictimsofAgentOrange(DAVA)inHòaNh?nCommuneinHòaVangDistrict.USAmbassadortoVi?tNamMarcKnapperalsojoinedthevisit.Accordingtothecentresmanagingboard,AOchildrenandpersonswithdisabilitieshavebeenreceiveddonationsfromdonorsinVi?tNamandmanycountriesintheworldaswellassupportfromthecitysadministration.MembersoftheUSveterangroupplaybasketballwithAOchildrenat?àN?ngCitysVictimsofAgentOrangecentreinHoàVangdistrict.Thecentreishometo90AO-affectedchildren.VNSPhotoC?ngThànhThecentrealsoprovidesvocationaltrainingcourses,likemakingjoss-sticksandclothflowers,forAOvictimsinrehabilitationtothecommunity.Currently,90AOchildrenandchildrenwithdisabilitiesarereceivingcarefromthecentresstaff.MarcKnapperhighlyappreciatedtheco-operationbetweentheUSandVi?tNamindioxinclean-upprojectsandinprovidingsupporttopersonswithdisabilitiesoverpastdecades.Hesaid:Thecooperationonaddressinglegacyissuesdatesbacktoevenbeforethenomalisation.ItbeganwithVi?tNamsgenerousandhumaneffortstohelpuslocateremainsofmissingAmericanservicemembersandiscontinuingnowtotheUnitedStatesworkingwithVi?tNamsoVi?tNamcanaccountforitsownmissingfromthewar,andalsoinassistingpeoplewithdisabilities,cleaningupdioxinhotspots,andcleaningupunexplodedordnance.Twogirlswithdisabilitiesworkatajoss-stickshopinthecentreforAOKidsin?àN?ngCity.Vocationaltrainingcourseshelpprovidebetterlifeandrehabilitation.VNSPhotoC?ngThànhSince1991,theUShasspentmorethanUS$150millionassistingindividualswithdisabilities,regardlessofthecause.Intermsofdioxinhotspotscleaning,wespent$110millionforcleaningat?àN?ngAirport.WeareworkingonanotherprojectatBiênHoàAirbasethatsgoingtocometoabout$450million,$300millionofwhichisgoingtobethecontributionoftheUS.TheUSambassadoralsostressedtheneedforstrongercooperationbetweentheUSandVi?tNamindioxincleaningandassistancetopersonswiththedisabilitiesontheoccasionofthe30thanniversaryofthenomalisationanddiplomatictiesofthetwocountries.JohnHollis,whosefatherwasanUSveteraninVi?tNamin1965,saidhefeltsohappytobeinthevisitto?àN?ngandthecentreofAOchildren.Hesaidchildrenarethefutureoftheworldandhehopestocontributetohealthewarandbringbrightfuturetochildren.AO-affectedchildrenprepareforaliondanceincelebrationMidAutumnFestivalat?àN?ngCitysAOKidsCentre.VNSPhotoC?ngThành?àN?ngishometomorethan5,000AOvictims,ofwhich1,400arechildren.Vi?tNamstillhasabout4.8millionpeopleexposedtoAgentOrange/dioxinandmorethan6millionhectaresarestillcontaminatedwithminesandexplosives.VNSRepresentativesoftheJapaneseandVietnamesegovernmentsatthehandoverceremony.—PhotocourtesyoftheJICAYêNBáI—Atotalof40waterpurifiersand200multi-purposeplastictarpaulins,withatotalvalueofmorethanVN?3billion(US$124,096),havebeendeliveredtoYênBáinorthernmountainousprovince.V?XuanThành,deputydirectoroftheDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPrevention,undertheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD),onSundayreceivedaidfromtheEmbassyofJapanandtheJapanInternationalCooperationAgency(JICA)attheN?iBàiInternationalAirportinHàN?i.ThegoodsweretransferredtoYênBáiProvinceonthesamedaytobedeliveredtopeopleaffectedbyTyphoonYagi.Atthehandoverceremony,JapaneseAmbassadortoVi?tNamItoNaokiexpressedhissympathyandencouragementtothefamiliesaffectedbythetyphoon.HerecognisedtheneedtosupportVi?tNamwithmediumandlong-termsolutionstominimisedamagecausedbylandslidesandflashfloods.Withourexperienceindisasterprevention,JapanpledgestocontinuecooperatingwithVi?tNamtowardsearlyrecoveryandreconstructionofdisaster-hitareas,hesaid.Previously,IainFrew,BritishAmbassadortoVi?tNam,confirmedthattheBritishGovernmentwillprovideonemillionpoundsinhumanitarianaidtohelpVi?tNamovercometheconsequencesofnaturaldisasters.Todate,MARDhasreceivedsupportfromtenembassiesand16internationalorganisationswithacommitmenttosupply160tonnesofgoodsbyair.ThegoodsarrivingattheN?iBàiAirportwereimmediatelytransportedtoYênBái,LàoCaiandCaoB?ngprovinces.FromlastWednesdaytoSaturday,theMARDreceivedoneaidshipmentfromtheAustralianGovernmentandthreeshipmentsfromtheASEANRegionalCoordinatingCentreforHumanitarianAssistanceonDisasterManagementandthentransferredtoYênBáiandLàoCaiprovinces.TheDepartmentofInternationalCooperationundertheMARDinformedthatemergencyaidgoodsfromIndiaarrivedattheinternationalairportonSundayafternoon.TheaidfromIndiawasworthabout$1millionandincluded1,200waterpurifiers,1,000watertankswithvalves,tenwatertankswithacapacityof500litres,5,000blanketsand5,000mosquitonetsand1,200solar-poweredlamps.—VNS
DoctorsfromDivision325providemedicalexaminationsandtreatmenttoanelderlyintheflood-affectedareasofL?cNg?nDistrictinB?cGiangProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoDanhLamHàN?I—TheDepartmentofPreventiveMedicineundertheMinistryofHealthemphasisedtheurgentneedtoensureanadequatesupplyofmedicianfordiseasepreventionandtreatmentforthoseaffectedbyTyphoonYagi,aswellasfloodsandlandslidesinthenorthernregion.DrTr?n??cPhu,SeniorAdvisorattheVi?tNamPublicHealthEmergencyOperationsCentre,saidthatresidentsinareasaffectedbyheavyrainandfloodingarehighlysusceptibletogastrointestinaldiseasesduetocontaminatedwater,unsafefoodandpoorsanitationconditions.Commondiseasesinthesesituationsincludetrenchfoot,otherskinconditions,colds,fluandeyeinfections.Thehumidenvironmentandstagnantwaterinhouseholditemsalsocreatebreedinggroundsformosquitoes,makingdenguefeverhighlycontagious.Theimmediatepriorityistoquicklysupplyenoughmedicationstoprevent,diagnoseandtreatdiseasesfollowingthetyphoonandfloods.AhealthcareworkerdisinfecteveryalleyinHaiBàTr?ngDistrictinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHi?uCurrently,HàN?ishealthsectorhasestablishedmobileemergencyteamsreadytorespondtopotentialemergencies.Thecityshealthdepartmenthasalsodirectedunitstoinvestigateandlistflood-proneareastodevelopplansfordiseaseprevention,ensuringcleanwater,sanitationandfoodsafety.Additionally,thedepartmenthasaskedunitstoprepareessentialmedicationsforcommonpost-floodillnessesandchemicalssuchasChloramineBtotreatcontaminatedwater.AhealthcareworkersprayChloramineBinahouseholdinHaiBàTr?ngDistrictinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoInanofficialdispatchsenttolocalitiestostrengthenfoodsafetymeasuresandaddresstheaftermathofTyphoonYagi,theDepartmentofFoodHygieneandSafetyencouragedresidentsinflood-affectedandisolatedareastoconsumeready-to-eatfoodslikedryrations,instantnoodles,andbottledwater.TheMinistryofHealthalsourgedlocalfoodhygieneandsafetysub-departmentstoguidepeopleinselecting,preparing,andconsumingsafefood.Undernocircumstancesshouldlivestockorpoultrythathavediedbeusedforfoodorprocessed.Ifwatersourceslikewellsareflooded,theymustbefilteredanddisinfectedbeforeuseaccordingtohealthdepartmentguidelines.Flood-contaminatedorspoiledfoodmustnotbeconsumed.—VNSByKhánhLinh?àoTh??cTh?Qu?nhAnh(3rdright)receivesthefullscholarshipworthaboutVN?1billion(US$40,625)attheBritishUniversityVietnam.PhotoscourtesyofQu?nhAnhAyoungKh?MúethnicminoritygirlfromthecentralprovinceofNgh?An,?cTh?Qu?nhAnh,willofficiallybecomeastudentattheBritishUniversityVietnamthisNovember,withafullscholarshipworthaboutVN?1billion(US$40,600).Earningafullscholarshipischallengingandstressful.ForayounggirlwithadifficultbackgroundlikeAnh,whosemotherisinprisonandwhosefamilyhasbeentornapart,thelearningjourneyhasbeenmanytimesharder.Thisrewardistheresultofhertirelesseffortstoturnherdreamofeducationintoareality.BorninasmallvillageinthemountainousT??ngD??ngDistrictofNgh?An,Anhhadaverydifficultchildhood.Herfamilywasverypoor,andtheirmealsusuallyconsistedonlyofplainrice,wildvegetablesandsaltedpeanuts.Becauseoftheirpoverty,whenshewasjustfouryearsold,AnhhadtoleaveherfamilytolivewithherauntinVinhCitytoreducethefamilysburden.Itwasntuntilthesecondsemesterof9thgradethatshewasabletoreunitewithherfamilyandcontinueherstudiesatamiddleschoolinT??ngD??ng.However,thiswasalsothemosttumultuoustimeforherfamily.AnhvividlyremembersoneafternooninApril2021,whentwostrangemencametoherhouseandtookhermotheraway,brieflysayingitwasforsomeproblems.Seeinghermothersexpression,Anhwasterrifiedandcriedsilently.Herfather,whowasworkingfaraway,rushedhomeuponhearingthenews.Ineverexpectedthatwouldbethestartofmymothers11-yearsentenceinprison,Anhrecalledsomberly.Afterhermotherwasimprisoned,thefamilyhadtoselltheirhouseandsplitup.Herfathertookhertwoyoungerbrotherstolivewiththeirgrandparentsin??L??ngDistrict,about100kmfromT??ngD??ng.Anhstayedintheschooldormitorytocompleteherhighschooleducation.ThereweretimeswhenIcriedatnightandwantedtodropoutofschooltoworktosupportmyfamily,sherecalled.FromadversitytoachievementHergrandfatherwashergreatestsourceofsupportashehadusedhisentireVN?2million(US$80)monthlypensiontohelphercontinueherstudies.Allaroundme,mypeersweregettingmarriedandhavingchildren.Manypeopletoldmetostopchasingunrealisticdreams.ButIdidntwanttorepeatthecycleofpovertyandchildmarriage,shesaid.Anhworkedtirelesslyinherstudies.ShewasanoutstandingstudentthroughoutherthreeyearsattheT??ngD??ngHighSchool.In2021,thankstoherthird-placeprovincialawardinLiteratureandherhighschoolacademicrecord,shewasadmittedtotheEnglishLanguageDepartmentofHanoiUniversity.Anhwasexemptfromalltuitionfeesbecauseshewasastudentfromaminorityethnicgroupandalow-incomehousehold.However,coveringlivingexpensesinthebigcitywasverydifficultforher.Atschool,shefeltalotofpressurebecausemanyofherclassmateswerereallytalented.Anhhadtotakeseveralpart-timejobsafterclass,includingtutoringandsellinggoods,sincehergrandfatherspensionwasnotenoughtocoverherlifeinHàN?i.In2022,Anhwastheonlystudentfromheruniversitytomakethelistof142outstandingethnicstudentshonourednationwidefortheiracademicachievements.AnhonafieldtripfortheNu?iEm(MealsforChildren)project,whichprovidesfreelunchestopupilsinmountainousregions.Duringthistime,shereceivedagreatdealofsupportfromcharitableorganisationsandindividuals.Iwasfortunatetoreceiveassistancefromsomanypeople,liketheVN?3million($120)scholarshipfromthescholarshipfundfoundedbysingerLêCátTr?ngLy,oranoldlaptopfromthe???cH?c(Educated)programmeoftheNu?iEm(MealsforChildren)projectfoundedbyHoàngHoaTrung,shesaid.Iunderstandthatwithoutthistimelyassistance,mypathtoeducationandescapingpovertywouldhavebeenmuchmoredifficult.However,herjoywasshort-livedwhenshereceivedthenewsthathergrandfatherhadpassedaway.Overwhelmedwithgriefanddifficulties,Anhdecidedtolookformorescholarshipstocontinueherdreamofhighereducation.HerdeterminationtodreamandnotgiveuphelpedherwintheLionHeartScholarshipfromtheBritishUniversityVietnamin2024,worthaboutVN?1billionforthreeyearsofstudy.SpreadinghopeIvejustvisitedmymominprison,wasthefirstsentenceinAnhsessaysubmittedfortheLionHeartScholarship.Inheressay,thegirlpouredoutthestoryofherlifesstruggles.Withdeepsincerity,herstoryflowedasifitwerecomingstraightfromherheart.IsetasidemyfeelingsofshameandwroteaboutmypersonalexperiencesandhowIovercameadversity,shesaid.ThereweretimeswhenIwassoexhaustedIwantedtogiveup.Thereweresleeplessnightsthatalmostdrainedme.ButImthankfultomyselffornotgivingup.Anhsaidwhatconvincedtheschooltoawardherthescholarshipwasherdreamofbringinghappinesstothosearoundher.?cTh?Qu?nhAnh(centre)andothervolunteersataneventtoraisefundsforbuildingschoolsinremoteareasaspartoftheBooksforSchoolsproject.Anhhasactivelyparticipatedincommunityprojectsandstrovetodoherbest.ShesigneduptobeavolunteerfortheNu?iEm(MealsforChildren)project,whichprovidesfreelunchestopupilsinmountainousregions.Sheisalsoanenthusiasticmemberofthe???cH?c(Educated)project,whichdonateslaptopstoethnicstudentsinneed.Additionally,shehasparticipatedinreceivingandsellingdonatedbookstoraisefundsforbuildingschoolsinremoteareasaspartoftheSáchNàyLà??XayTr??ng(BooksforSchools)project.Morethananyone,Iunderstandhowharditisforchildreninmountainousareaslikemetopursueeducationasapathoutofpoverty.Thebiggestlimitationandbarrierareoftenthegenderbiasingrainedintheirownthinking.Manyofthembelievetheyarentsmartenough,donthavetheabilitytoattenduniversity,orlackconfidenceinthemselvesandtheirfuture,Anhsaid.Iwanttousemystorytoinspirethem,toencouragethemtocourageouslychasetheirdreams,gainaccesstoknowledge,andseizegoodopportunitiesforabetterfuture.Theresaphrasesheoftenshareswithchildrenduringhercommunityactivities:Neverblamepoverty,becausepovertyandhardshiparenotreasonstodropoutofschoolorgiveuponyourdreams.VNS
PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChính(ingreyT-shirt)supervisestherescueoperationinatyphoon-ravagedvillageinthemountainousprovinceofLàoCao.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)onSeptember13handed700gender-anddisability-sensitivehouseholdkitstotheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)tosupportcommunitiesinthenorthernmountainousprovinceofYênBái,whichhasbeenseverelyaffectedbyTyphoonYagi.ThisinitialdonationispartofUNDPsongoingeffortstoassisttheVietnameseGovernmentandpeopletorecoverfromthemostpowerfultyphoonhittingthenationinthreedecades.ThekitscontainitemsthoroughlyselectedtoalleviatethehardshipsfacedbythemostvulnerablepopulationinYênBái,respondingtothespecificneedsofaffectedcommunitieswholosttheirbelongingsandprovidingthemwithimmediatereliefintheearlystagesofresponse.Thesekitsincludewaterbuckets,rainbootsforadultsandchildren,blankets,medicine,sanitarypads,whistles,andotheressentialsupplies.UNDPResidentRepresentativeRamlaKhalidiextendedherdeepestcondolencestotheGovernmentofVi?tNamandallthoseaffectedbythedevastationcausedbyTyphoonYagi.SheacknowledgedtheprofoundlossandsufferingthatthetyphoonhasinflicteduponcommunitiesacrossthenorthernmountainousregionandtheRedRiverDelta,praisingthespiritofunityandsolidaritydisplayedbythenationasitfacedthetyphoon.ShesaidUNDPstandsreadytosupportVi?tNaminundertakingintersectoralneedsassessment,emergencyrelief,aswellasearlyrecoveryplanning,andlong-termresiliencebuilding.Meanwhile,SwissAmbassadortoVi?tNamThomasGassextendedhissympathytoVi?tNamoverthedamagecausedbythetyphoon,whilecommittingtoassistingthenationsrecoveryeffortsatameetingwiththeMARDsVi?tNamDisasterandDykeManagementAuthorityinHàN?ionSeptember14.Accordingly,eightSwissexpertsintheareasofcleanwater,hygiene,andsafehousewillgotoYênBái,oneofthelocalitieshardhitbythetyphoon,tostudytheprovincessituationandputforthappropriatereconstructionmeasures.TheEuropeancountryalsosentreliefsupplies,whichwillarriveinVi?tNamonSeptember16.OnSeptember13,PrimeMinisterPh?mMinhChínhhassignedanofficialdispatch,orderingsufficientessentialsuppliesforlocalitiessufferingseveredamagefromTyphoonYagianditssubsequentlandslidesandfloods.Accordingly,chairpersonsofPeoplesCommitteesofcitiesandprovincesarerequiredtodirectcompetentauthoritiestoprovidefood,medicineandotheressentialitemsforaffectedhouseholds,particularlythoseinareasthatareisolatedandhardtoreach.Marketmanagementandsupervisionoverthedistributionofessentialgoodslikefood,fuels,andothernecessitiesmustbeenhancedtoensurethattherearenohoardingandunreasonablepricehikes.Strictpunishmentmustbemetedouttoanyviolations,accordingtothedispatch.PMChínhalsoorderedtheimmediaterepairofhouses,schoolsandhospitalsdamagedbythetyphoon,clearanceoffallentrees,quickresumptionofthesupplyofelectricity,cleanwaterandtelecommunicationsservices,amongothers,toensurethecontinuityofproductionandbusinessactivities,andimplementationofdiseasepreventionmeasuresafterthestorm.—VNSDeputyMinistryofForeignAffairsandChairwomanoftheStateCommitteeforOverseasVietnameseAffairsLêTh?ThuH?nghandsovermorethanVN?600million(US$24,000)to??V?nChi?n,ChairmanoftheVietnamFatherlandFrontsCentralCommittee,tosupportpeopleaffectedbyTyphoonYagi.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vietnameseinmanycountriesaroundtheworldcontinuetomakedonationstosupporttyphoonvictimsinthehomeland,inresponsetotheappealoftheVietnamFatherlandFront.TheVietnameseEmbassyinRussialaunchedadonationcampaignonSeptember13,raisingmorethanUS$30,000injustafewhours.InCambodia,theVietnameseembassyhasreceivednearly$40,000contributedbyorganisationsandindividualsfollowingthelaunchofthedonationcampaignonSeptember13.Meanwhile,theVietnameseConsulateGeneralinFukuoka,Japan,reportedthatVietnameseorganisationsandindividualsinJapancontributedaroundVN?850million(over$34,600)rightattheceremonytolaunchthedonationcampaign.ThecampaigntoraisefundstosupporttyphoonvictimsinVi?tNamwillcontinueinthecomingdays.ThenumberofdeadandmissingvictimsduetoTyphoonYagiandsubsequentfloodingroseto345asof8amSeptember14,including262fatalities.—VNS