Red Cross Appeals for Flood Victims in Cambodia and Vietnam, American Red Cross Contributes $350,000

On September 10, Tropical Storm Wukong ripped through the Vietnamese province of Ha Tinh adding to the disaster situation Vietnam already faces as a result of monsoon flooding in the Mekong Delta region. This flooding has claimed 15 lives so far. A swelling tide now headed down the Mekong River in Cambodia towards Vietnam is threatening further damage to crops and additional casualties. Assessments conducted by the Vietnam Red Cross and the Federation indicate that an estimated 120,000 homes have been severely flooded, and as water levels continue to rise, the potential numbers of those affected could reach as many as 600,000 people.

Red Cross Appeals

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has issued two appeals for cash to help flood victims in Cambodia and Vietnam. A $2.3 million appeal for more than 500,000 flood victims in Cambodia will provide household kits, repair to flood-damaged homes and water sources, mosquito nets and health education campaigns to help reduce the potential risk of water-borne disease. Another $1.5 million appeal for Vietnam will provide plastic sheeting for emergency shelter, 2,800 tons of rice, 27,000 mosquito nets and 3,000 small boats and fishing nets for 125,000 flood victims.

American Red Cross Response

With support from the United States Agency for International Development, the American Red Cross has contributed more than $350,000 to the Cambodian Red Cross for the distribution of relief kits to 7,000 families. The kits include plastic sheeting, antiseptic soap, clothing, and other necessary items. The American Red Cross Cambodia Delegation, which provides ongoing assistance to landmine victims and other disabled, is coordinating with the Cambodian Red Cross on the procurement and distribution of the relief kits. Over the past two months, the Cambodian Red Cross has distributed 400 tons of rice to the affected populations and plans to distribute another 125 tons of rice during September.

In Vietnam, 1,000 American Red Cross-funded relief kits containing blankets, mosquito nets and cooking sets are currently being distributed by the Vietnam Red Cross (VNRC) to those worst affected by Tropical Storm Wukong in Ha Tinh Province. In addition, the VNRC is mobilizing other disaster preparedness resources (relief kits, trucks, shock brigade relief centers and equipment, and telecommunications equipment) provided through the American Red Cross as part of a program, begun earlier this year, to assist the VNRC in preparing for response to disasters.