Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed Dispatch No. 92/CD-TTg on September 10, focusing on recovering from typhoon Yagi or Storm No. 3 and subsequent floods, prioritizing the safety of dikes and reservoirs. 

Danang SOS Group delivers relief to people in the northern province of Yen Bai. Photo courtesy of the group

The dispatch was sent to Party leaders and Heads of the governments of the following provinces and cities: Quang Ninh, Haiphong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Son La, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hanoi, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa; and ministers of following ministries.

The Prime Minister’s orders include:

Party chiefs and Chairpersons of the affected provinces and cities should prioritize the safety, health, and lives of the people. They should directly command agencies to: (1) Urgently continue searching for missing persons while ensureing the absolute safety of rescue forces; provide free treatment for the injured; support the families of those who lost their lives, and assist with funeral arrangements. (2) Deliver food, essential supplies, and aid to households at risk of hunger, especially those in isolated areas. Arrange temporary shelters for displaced families. No one should be left hungry, cold, or without shelter. (3) Review, assess, and report the full damage to production, property, and infrastructure by September 12, 2024. Mobilize local resources and other lawful funds to promptly recover from the storm and floods and quickly restore normal life and production. 

Danang resident Ho Thi Doa with banh chung (sticky rice cake) to send to people in the north. Photo: VGP

The Ministers of Defense and Public Security must direct military zones and units to deploy forces and equipment, including helicopters to provide food and aid to people in isolated areas and assist with post-disaster recovery at the local government’s request.

The Minister of Health must ensure the injured receive treatment, provide sufficient medicine, ensure medical services in disaster-affected areas, guide water treatment, and prevent disease outbreaks post-storm and flood.

The Minister of Industry and Trade must focus on repairing the power grid and ensuring electricity supply for production and daily life, prioritizing hospitals, key industries, and essential services. Additionally, monitor the market to prevent shortages, unreasonable price hikes, or poor-quality goods.

The Minister of Education and Training must oversee the cleaning and repair of schools damaged by the storm and floods, mobilizing support for educational materials to help students resume normal studies as soon as possible.

The Minister of Transport must quickly restore key transportation routes to facilitate rescue efforts and ensure safe travel.

The Minister of Information and Communications must ensure the telecommunications network is restored for public services and business operations.

The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs must assist affected households, ensuring they have enough food and are able to stabilize their lives, especially those in isolated areas.

The Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam must direct credit institutions to review customer damages and apply financial support policies such as interest rate reductions or debt restructuring.

The Minister of Finance must implement tax and fee relief policies for those affected by the disaster and ensure insurance companies compensate for losses promptly and fully.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development must: (1) Continue taking measures to ensure the safety of dikes and reservoirs, detect and address incidents immediately. (2) Restore agricultural production post-disaster and ensure there is no shortage of food supplies, especially towards the end of 2024 and during the Lunar New Year.

Ministers, heads of government agencies, and local leaders must actively and urgently coordinate efforts to recover from the storm and floods.

The provinces of Ha Giang, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai must take all possible measures to control upstream floodwaters flowing into Thac Ba Reservoir. Hanoi and other provinces must prepare for worst-case scenarios regarding the reservoir.

Deputy Prime Ministers Ho Duc Phoc and Le Thanh Long will directly oversee the implementation of this dispatch.

The Office of the Government will monitor and report on the implementation of this dispatch, promptly informing the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers of any arising issues.