Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) has launched the first phase of emergency relief to assist residents in the northern and central provinces of Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, and Nghe An, which suffered severe damage from Typhoon Matmo, the 11th to form in the East Sea this year.

To help affected households overcome immediate difficulties, the VNRC has allocated nearly 1.7 billion VND (64,492 USD) in emergency aid, including cash support, essential goods, and P&G water purification powder.

The specific support packages include 400 million VND in cash, 300 family kits, and 48,000 sachets of the powder for Cao Bang; 300 million VND and 48,000 sachets for Thai Nguyen; 300 million VND and 48,000 sachets for Lang Son; and 223,680 for Nghe An.

Funding for this emergency response is from a flood support campaign initiated by the VNRC through the H2025 account at Vietcombank. A working delegation from the society will soon visit affected areas to deliver aid, offer encouragement, and assess further needs.

The VNRC plans to use another 3.6 billion VND from the campaign to purchase family kits and essential supplies for future emergency response operations.

As of the evening of October 7, the typhoon's aftermath had caused heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides across northern provinces, leaving three people dead and four missing, damaging nearly 10,000 hectares of crops, and submerging thousands of homes.

The Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Dam in Lang Son's Tan Tien commune was reported to have ruptured over a 5-metre section, while key transport routes, railways, and power systems have also been severely affected. Local authorities and emergency teams are working urgently to restore normalcy./.

VNA