Global Friendship Amidst Devastating Floods

	Vietnamese Community Assists Flood-stricken States in Germany
	Hanoi Labor Confederation Mobilizes Support for People Affected by Storms and Floods

Dang To Nga (top row, left) at the donation event for flood victims held at Dong Xuan Shopping Center (Berlin, Germany) on September 15, 2024.

Timely and widespread relief efforts

Immediately after the typhoon subsided, numerous countries and international organizations provided swift support to Vietnam. Relief operations were conducted urgently and widely, covering both urban areas and remote regions, ranging from essential supplies to long-term reconstruction solutions.

On the evening of September 11, 2024, a Royal Australian Air Force C17 aircraft landed at Noi Bai Airport, delivering relief items such as tents, tarpaulins, personal hygiene kits, and home repair tools, which were transported to Yen Bai province the same night.

From September 13 to 14, 2024, the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management sent three shipments valued at approximately US$254,000 to Yen Bai and Lao Cai provinces, including water filters, solar-powered flashlights, personal hygiene kits, and kitchen utensils.

On September 16, Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam, Thomas Gass, handed over nearly 26 tons of supplies worth VND10.5 billion (US$414,651) to Yen Bai province. These included tents and clean water, along with a Swiss expert team sent to survey the affected areas, and propose suitable reconstruction measures.

By September 16, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 20 countries and international organizations had pledged or were planning to provide over VND550 billion (US$22 million) in aid, along with equipment for shelter, clean water, and sanitation for flood-affected communities.

Nathan Ross Keers (right) with volunteers distributing essential supplies to households in Hoa Thuong Commune, Dong Hy District, Thai Nguyen Province.

In addition to material assistance, international relief teams brought heartfelt compassion and dedication. Many international volunteers braved challenges and risks to assist people.

On September 11, Nathan Ross Keers, a 33-year-old British national, navigated waist-deep floodwaters in a small boat loaded with 200 food packages for residents of Hoa Thuong Commune, Dong Hy District, Thai Nguyen Province.

“It was raining heavily, and the alley was deeply submerged, with water engulfing the ground floors of houses,” Nathan recalled. At one point, with water up to their neck, the team had to halt. Nathan volunteered to swim to the last house in the alley. The 60-year-old man living there was both surprised and moved to receive help from a “foreign gentleman.”

“Typhoon Yagi is not just a natural disaster, it’s a lesson in solidarity. People in hardship are still willing to help those in greater need. I’m deeply inspired and want to do the same,” Nathan said. Before leaving Thai Nguyen for Hanoi, Nathan and his Vietnamese wife donated an additional 500 kilograms of rice, instant noodles, and other essentials to flood victims.

On his personal page, he wrote “I have lived in Vietnam for 6.5 years, with a beautiful wife and two wonderful sons. Vietnam has given me more than I deserve, and this country has become an inseparable part of me. I’ll do everything I can to support those struggling during this disaster.”

In Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province, two Spanish women, Violeta and Candela, who were stranded due to the flooding, turned adversity into an opportunity to help locals. On September 9 and 10, 2024, with the support of Tran Thi Huyen, the director of a local travel agency, they prepared hundreds of meals for isolated communities in Lao Cai Town, Bac Ha, and Bao Yen Districts.

The first emergency relief shipment from the Australian government arriving in Hanoi on the evening of September 11, 2024.

Solidarity among expatriates

In Germany, on September 15 and 16, 2024, thousands of Vietnamese gathered at the Dong Xuan Shopping Center in Berlin to donate. Dang To Nga, an 84-year-old woman living on social welfare and selling traditional Vietnamese cakes, contributed EUR1,000 EUR (US$1038). Her donation was part of the more than EUR150,000 (US$155,821) raised by the Vietnamese community in Germany in just two days.

In Hungary, the Vietnamese community raised EUR44,000 (US$45,707) over two weeks. The Vietnamese Association in Hungary canceled its Mid-Autumn Festival to focus on charity efforts for flood victims.

In Laos, on September 20, 2024, 85-year-old Tran Thi Mao rode her bicycle to the Vietnamese Embassy in Vientiane to donate VND24.5 million (US$1,000) for the affected regions. “Listening to the news on the radio, I couldn’t stay still. This is my heartfelt contribution to my homeland,” she said.

Foreign tourists assisted a volunteer group in packing meals in Lao Cai on September 11, 2024.

In Japan, two charity football matches organized by the Vietnamese community raised JPY346,500 (US$2223). All prize money from the participating teams was also donated to support the flood victims.

In Melbourne, Australia, Thao Nguyen, a pho restaurant owner, donated AUD2 (US$1.25) from each bowl of pho sold, raising AUD2,000 (US$1252.9) in just five days. The “Vietnamese Mummy in Australia” group raised AUD50,000 (US$31,322) through its fan page.

On September 20, 2024, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, presented VND19.3 billion (US$762,168) on behalf of Vietnamese communities from various countries to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee. This included nearly VND4.7 billion (US$185,605) from the Vietnamese community in Thailand, VND3.3 billion (US$130,318) from the Czech Republic, and VND2.6 billion (US$105,000) from the United States. Earlier, on September 13, 2024, over VND600 million (US$23,694) from overseas Vietnamese had been sent to Vietnam for emergency relief.

Vietnamese Community Assists Flood-stricken States in Germany The Overseas Vietnamese community in Germany has handed over 30,000 Euro to representatives of Rheinland-Pfalz and Nordrhein-Westfalen states

Vietnamese Central Localities Ramp up Efforts to Brace for Storm No.4 People in central Vietnam have secured boats, reinforced monuments, and prepared for flooding as a storm is forecast to make landfall on September 19 afternoon.