The GE Foundation has donated US$73,000 in aid to Habitat for Humanity Vietnam in support of a post-disaster recovery program in the southern province of Quang Ngai.

Binh Thanh 2 primary school is renovated. Photo: The GE Foundation

Binh Thanh 2 and Binh Nguyen primary schools in Binh Son District, one of the worst victims of the historic floods and landslides in 2020, will benefit from this funding with renovated and rebuilt facilities.

Over the past four months, Habitat for Humanity Vietnam and the GE Foundation renovated 10 existing classrooms, installed a better electricity system, and built up new and accessible latrines for school children. 

The funding will provide better learning facilities for nearly 900 children and teachers in both schools. The Binh Son Department of Education and Training and the school management board members also participated to implement these activities.

Bells Regino-Borja, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Vietnam said good-quality school infrastructure is a crucial factor for students’ academic performance. "Making schools conducive and ready to serve future needs of community evacuation will help with community preparedness.”

After the 2020 flooding and landslides, Quang Ngai Province was one of the worst-affected provinces with over 140,000 damaged houses, 450 unroofed schools, nearly 1,000 hectares of submerged crops, which cost a loss of over VND4 billion (US$174,900). After one year, many schools in Quang Ngai still suffer from poor classroom conditions and sanitation.

David Barash, Executive Director, GE Foundation said: “Thanks to supporting from Habitat for Humanity Vietnam, we hope the renovation will help students get back to the classroom quickly and make these schools more resilient well into the future.”