Tân Thịnh Ward of Thái Nguyên Province remains submerged by floodwater as of Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Wednesday approved an emergency support package worth VNĐ140 billion (US$5.3 million) for the four northern provinces – Thái Nguyên, Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn and Bắc Ninh – to help them overcome the devastating effects of heavy rain and flooding in the past days.

Detailed in Decision No 2221/QĐ-TTg, the emergency aid will come from the 2025 State budget’s reserve fund to provide relief, assist affected residents and support recovery efforts following Typhoon Matmo (Storm No 11).

Thái Nguyên Province, one of the hardest-hit areas, will receive VNĐ50 billion, while Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn and Bắc Ninh will each be allocated VNĐ30 billion.

The Government leader instructed the people’s committees of the four provinces to manage and use the allocated funds in accordance with the State budget law, ensuring proper, transparent, and efficient use.

Reports on fund usage must be submitted by the provinces to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and other relevant agencies, which will then compile and forward the results to the Prime Minister.

Earlier, PM Chính signed Decision No 2171/QĐ-TTg to provide financial assistance from the 2025 State budget’s reserve fund to localities affected by Typhoon Bualoi (Storm No 10) and other natural disasters since the beginning of the year.

This included VNĐ500 billion (nearly $19 million) each for the central provinces of Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh; up to VNĐ200 billion ($7.6 million) each for Tuyên Quang, Lào Cai, Sơn La, Thanh Hóa, Quảng Trị and Cao Bằng; and between VNĐ20 billion and VNĐ135 billion each for Lạng Sơn, Thái Nguyên, Phú Thọ, Lai Châu, Điện Biên, Ninh Bình and Huế City. — VNS