On the afternoon of 31/7, several residents of Na Muong village, Pha Ven cluster, Noong Het district, Xieng Khouang province (Laos) used inner tubes as floats to swim across the Nam Mo river to Ta Do village in Muong Tip commune to request food and essential supplies. Na Muong village had been isolated since 22/7 due to heavy rains and landslides caused by Typhoon Wipha.

Hoa Van Mon, Chairman of the Muong Tip Commune Fatherland Front Committee, said Ta Do and Na Muong villages are located on opposite banks of the Nam Mo river and share a sister-village relationship. In recent days, the Na Muong village head and Noong Het district leaders contacted Muong Tip commune leaders, informing them about the isolation caused by the flooding and requesting assistance for several inaccessible villages.

Na Muong villagers use inner tubes to cross the Nam Mo river to seek aid from Muong Tip commune on 31/7. Photo: Hung Le

Muong Tip also suffered significant damage during the floods starting 22/7, with over 60 houses collapsing and communication systems being disrupted. Electricity and internet were restored 5 days ago, but many villages remain isolated. However, according to Mr. Mon, upon receiving the request from Laotian villagers, the authorities collaborated with charity groups to provide over 40 aid packages. Each package contained 10 kg of rice, instant noodles, water, MSG, clothing, and footwear.

"On the afternoon of 31/7, the commune and charity groups used boats to transport food and necessities across the Nam Mo river to distribute to over 40 households in Na Muong village. They were very grateful", Mr. Mon said, adding that further assistance would be considered if the flooding continued to cause hardship.

Muong Tip commune leaders distribute aid to Na Muong villagers on 31/7. Photo: Hung Le

Due to Typhoon Wipha, Nghe An experienced heavy rainfall starting 22/7. Floodwaters from upstream combined with water discharged from hydroelectric plants caused widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides in dozens of communes in former mountainous districts such as Ky Son, Con Cuong, Quy Chau, Que Phong, and Anh Son.

As of the afternoon of 1/8, authorities reported 4 deaths due to landslides and flash floods. Four mountain communes with over 2,000 households and more than 11,000 residents remain isolated, including the border commune of Nhon Mai (former Tuong Duong district), which is completely cut off. Initial economic damage is estimated at 3,550 billion VND.

Over the past few days, hundreds of aid missions have reached affected communes in western Nghe An, delivering food, necessities, household items, and cash donations. According to provincial statistics, the Nghe An Fatherland Front Committee has received over 61 billion VND in cash and goods from agencies, businesses, organizations, and individuals. The provincial Red Cross has also received 2.7 billion VND.

Duc Hung

The Hope Foundation - VnExpress newspaper has launched the "Joining Hands for Nghe An" campaign to support the reconstruction of schools damaged by landslides and flash floods, helping students and teachers regain stability before the new school year. Readers can contribute to the campaign here.