Enviro News Asia, Lai Chau – Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep visited Muong Than Commune in Lai Chau Province on July 19 to inspect damage caused by recent flash floods and direct emergency response and recovery efforts.
The delegation, accompanied by Lai Chau People’s Committee Chairman Ha Quang Trung and provincial officials, assessed flood-affected areas, met with search and rescue personnel, and delivered financial assistance to families impacted by the disaster.
According to provincial authorities, the flash floods caused extensive damage in Muong Than Commune, with an initial assessment indicating that 179 households are at risk and require relocation.
Despite continued rainfall, local authorities have been working to clear debris, clean affected homes, establish temporary shelters, and ensure the supply of food, clean water, and other essential services. The provincial government has also ordered emergency construction of temporary housing through the Provincial Military Command while permanent resettlement areas are being prepared.
Authorities have allocated land for the urgent relocation of 24 households and are continuing to identify additional unsafe areas that may require long-term resettlement.
During a working session, Ha Quang Trung said the provincial government would mobilize all available resources to provide housing, food, clean water, transportation, and other essential support to help affected communities recover as quickly as possible.
Vice Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep expressed his condolences to families affected by the disaster and commended local authorities, emergency responders, and rescue teams for their swift and coordinated response. He noted that although the flash floods occurred outside the province’s primary flood-prone areas, emergency operations had successfully restored access to major roads and secured essential supplies for hundreds of households.
The Vice Minister said the immediate priorities remain locating missing persons, providing dignified funerals for victims, and supporting bereaved families. He also gave preliminary approval for Lai Chau Province to submit a proposal for the construction of a resettlement area capable of accommodating approximately 200 households, including the 24 families requiring immediate relocation.
He further instructed the Provincial Military Command to expedite the construction of temporary housing, particularly for around 60 families unable to return home because of ongoing landslide risks.
Nguyen also called on provincial authorities to complete damage assessments to facilitate the distribution of government assistance, including rice and other social welfare support. He said the central government would consider additional financial assistance for disaster response if required.
Looking beyond the emergency phase, the Vice Minister urged the province to prioritize the restoration of agricultural land, livelihood recovery, and long-term community rehabilitation. He added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment would submit recommendations to the government to secure additional resources for Lai Chau’s recovery efforts.
During the visit, Vice Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep and the delegation presented financial assistance to 13 families whose homes were destroyed by the flash floods. (*)
