Expats Rally for Yagi Relief

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An expat paddles with Vietnamese volunteers to help those affected by Yagi's wrath. Photo courtesy of Blue Dragon Childrens Foundation.

On September 10th, Typhoon Yagi tore a deadly path through Vietnam resulting in widespread flooding, power outages, landslides, and a dramatic loss of life. Despite the grim situation, the Vietnamese people quickly found ways to overcome this tragedy. As for longtime expats of this country, Yagi served as an opportunity to give back to their second home.

United by their love for Vietnam and its people, these expats are coming together to make a difference, regardless of their cultural backgrounds.

Sapa: Rising from the Rubble

Sapa's Muong Hoa Valley is a site of immense natural beauty and unique local culture. Sadly, Yagi's destruction also reached this peaceful, mountanious paradise, resulting in a disastrous landslide which destroyed several homes and claimed the lives of six people.

A deadly mudslide in Sapa as a result of Typhoon Yagi. Photo courtesy of Oanh Bui.

One of Sapa's few expats, New Zealander Tony Coessens, witnessed the destruction firsthand.

"The path to Sapa Town became a river," said Tony, commenting on the rapid flooding. "The road was damaged in several places. For a couple of days, they were cut off from the rest of the world. It was a very strange and somber feeling. Once the rain subsided, we were left with a situation."

"The path became a river." - Photo courtesy of Oanh Bui.

While the aftermath of the storm was nothing short of tragic, Tony was not disappointed. Rather, he found strength from Sapa's enduring mountain men and women.

"What I realized since living here, is how resilient the people are, how they keep getting up and going. Everyone gets together to help out," said Tony. "[Sapa residents] don't complain. If they do, its with a smile. Someone is always willing to help."

Tony Coessens exploring Sapa on a sunny day. Photo courtesy of Tony Coessens.

Still spry at 72 years old, Tony immediately went to work raising funds for the families affected by the mudslide. Under the guidance of Oanh Bui, a local homestay owner and his close friend, Tony helped deliver food to those in need and set up a website that allows people to donate towards rebuilding homes.

While Tony is confident that the local people will recover, he is cautious about the future.

"The area needs to be surveyed. The government needs to be aware of something like this could happen again. Time will tell."

Hanoi: Chairity Through Music

In the week after Yagi, Hanoians still perserved and went to work, despite the bleak reminders of the storm such as thousands of fallen trees, flooded alleyways, and downed power lines. Yet, on Friday night, a more rhythmic, soothing reminder could be heard from Tay Ho's Bevvy Bar.

Several expat singers and musicans teamed up with Vietnamese artists to create a benefit concert aiming to help fix a road leading to the My Duc orphanage. The line-up consisted of the band Splat, alongside singer Lydia Barros and the Vietnamese bands Pho Cups and Thach Lan. Together, the musicans raised a total of 13 million VND.

Singing for Vietnam's recovery. Photo courtesy of Splat.

British musican William Bear, speaking on behalf of Splat, believed it was their duty to help.

"Its only natural in a time of real need, when people all over Vietnam and Hanoi, where we live, are really suffering, that we do what we can. Personally I feel really fortunate, because I live on higher ground, that I still have a place to live. Many aren't so lucky. Apart from the human loss of life and home, which is really awful, we also lament the loss of so many of Hanoi's oldest trees."

In times of crises, William believes people have a better chance at survival through unity.

"Humans and nature; we're all in the same boat when climate change hits. We have to get together to fight it."

Blue Dragon Children's Foundation: Raising Hope for Those in Need

Blue Dragon Children's Foundation is one of the Hanoi's most prominent charities thanks to its team of compassionate Vietnamese and expats. For the past 20 years, the organization has rescued over 1,000 people from trafficking and provided shelter for nearly 2,000 children. After Yagi, Blue Dragon's extensive network immediately snapped into action.

Skye Maconachie, Blue Dragon's co-CEO, helps with cleaning a storm-affected home. Photo courtesy of Blue Dragon Childrens Foundation.

The Foundation reports that 25 foreigners have volunteered to be apart of their Yagi relief efforts. Their work mainly focuses on helping families who had to evacuate due to the storm. This includes cleaning the homes that could be salvages, removing the mud, carrying furniture and other houshold items, and making warm home-cooked meals for those affected as well.

Carlota Torres Lliró, the head of media relations for Blue Dragon, is deeply proud of the work being done.

"The expat and local community alike have shown incredible empathy and kindness towards Blue Dragon staff and the children and families we care for," said Carlota. "We are immensely grateful for the generosity and care that local supporters, expat and Vietnamese, and the international community are showing us."

These foreign volunteers aren't afraid of any dirty work. Photo courtesy of Blue Dragon Childrens Foundation.

In addition to their on-the-ground efforts, Blue Dragon has been able to raise over $250,000 USD from donors from all over the world. This amount will go towards further assisting the evacuees and rebuilding of lost homes.

While a lot has been achieved in the weeks since Yagi, many families are still recovering. Carlota still urges expats and friends of Vietnam to donate whatever they can.

"Donations make a huge difference in keeping people who have lost everything safe, and will help them, quite literally, rebuild their lives as well. For anyone who is currently in Vietnam and wants to help, a significant need right now is items, such as pots, pans, plates, bowls, chopsticks, gas stoves or rice cookers, and toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, toothbrushes and toothpaste, sanitary pads, bath towels...)."

Foreign friends coming together for a good cause. Photo courtesy of Blue Dragon Childrens Foundation.

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