Vietnamese Community Supports Storm-Hit Victims in Laos’ Oudomxay Province

Presenting gifts worth 160 million LAK (10,200 USD) to victims in Oudomxay province. Source: NDO

The Vietnamese community in northern Laos has taken action to help locals recently hit by Storm Ma-on, VNA reported Tuesday.

From September 4-5, a working delegation led by Vietnamese Consul General in Luang Prabang province Kieu Thi Hang Phuc partnered with Military Zone II’s Special Working Group, the Vietnamese Business Association and the Vietnamese Association in Northern Laos, and spouses of Oudomxay province’s leaders presented gifts worth LAK 160 million (USD 10,200) to victims.

They also handed over LAK 10 million (USD 637) to Xumxon hospital in the province.

Earlier, the Vietnamese Business Association and the Vietnamese community in Northern Laos donated cash, rice and clothing worth over LAK 171 million (USD 10.900).

In Vietnam, Ma-on caused multiple flooded and uprooted trees. 135,000 were planned to evacuate. Ma-on brought heavy rains. In total 321 households were flooded, with 38 households deeply flooded in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh’s Uong Bí city. So far, a total of three people were reported killed by the storm.

In Laos, flash floods were exacerbated by Ma-on. Villages along the Nam Ko river have been damaged. Thousands of people are reportedly affected.

Flooding in Vientiane in August. Photo: Xinhua

Oudomxay has been the hardest hit by the storm that made landfall in Northern Laos in August. Its 25 villages were damaged, killing two.

The heavy rainfall in Laos earlier in August also caused floods that damaged houses and infrastructure and inundated hundreds of hectares of farmland in numerous provinces and Vientiane.

The timely support of the delegation was recognized and appreciated by the authorities and people of Oudomxay province, demonstrating the solidarity, attachment, mutual support and assistance between the people of Vietnam and Laos.