Chairman of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Đỗ Văn Chiến receives donation from the Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Chairman of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Đỗ Văn Chiến has announced that by 5pm on September 22, the Central Relief Fund had received a total of VNĐ1.65 trillion (US$66.9 million) to support those affected by Typhoon Yagi.

The committee has distributed two rounds of funds to affected localities, totalling VNĐ1.03 trillion ($41.8 million), with VNĐ385 billion ($15.6 million) allocated in the first round and VNĐ650 billion ($26.9 million) in the second.

This figure was disclosed during an online meeting between the Central Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front and 26 cities and provinces on Monday, discussing relief efforts for communities affected by Typhoon Yagi.

The meeting aimed to review the progress of fundraising, fund management, and distribution; to discuss difficulties and challenges; and to present suggestions and proposals.

As of 5pm on September 22, the 37 localities not directly affected by Typhoon Yagi had raised VNĐ941.4 billion to support the northern region hit by the storm.

Of this, VNĐ147.1 billion was transferred to the Central Relief Fund, and VNĐ381.5 billion was sent directly to the affected areas.

In the 26 localities affected by the storm, the provincial-level Relief Committees received a total of VNĐ1.65 trillion by September 19. This includes VNĐ1.03 trillion distributed by the central government, VNĐ208.3 billion from other localities and VNĐ410.8 billion raised locally.

These funds will be allocated based on local conditions to support affected families, particularly those who lost loved ones, were injured, or lost their homes.

Assistance will include food supplies, house repairs for families with severely damaged homes, and support for recovery in agriculture and production.

At the meeting, participants discussed ways to ensure that relief resources reach the affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible in accordance with legal regulations.

Chiến urged the Central Relief Fund to expedite the distribution of funds based on the extent of damage in each locality, ensuring timely support for recovery efforts.

He emphasised the importance of transparency in the receipt and distribution of donations and called for openness in the process from the central level down to the provincial, district and local levels. Following the allocation, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front will assign officials to monitor and inspect the relief efforts.

According to Chiến, there are four key principles for allocating relief funds: distribution must be timely, directed to the right recipients, and used for the intended purposes effectively; transparency must be ensured, with funds reaching beneficiaries directly; duplication in support must be avoided, meaning no individual should receive the same support twice; and priority must be given to families of the deceased, missing, and injured, as well as those who have lost homes and belongings, in accordance with official guidelines.

After 90 days from the start of the fundraising campaign, the Central and local Relief Funds will close their donation accounts. The account for Typhoon Yagi relief will close on December 9, 2024, and the distribution of all funds should be completed by December 31, 2024. — VNS