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HÀ NỘI — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday extended his sympathies to the Vietnamese Government and people over the losses from flooding and typhoon in central Việt Nam.

“The Government of the United States expresses its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Việt Nam as they mourn those who perished due to significant flooding in the central region of Việt Nam as a result of Tropical Storm Linfa,” the US diplomat said in a statement.

“The US government stands ready to assist Việt Nam in addressing the damage caused by the floods, and we send our deepest sympathies to all affected by this tragedy, including the many thousands who were displaced.”

Previously, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) affirmed immediate assistance worth US$200,000 to support efforts to respond to severe flooding in Việt Nam and Cambodia. 

USAID is working with the Việt Nam Red Cross  to provide emergency assistance to people affected by the floods. In addition, it provides long-term funding for programmes that reduce the risk and impact of disasters throughout Southeast Asia.

Premier of the State Council of China, Li Keqiang on Thursaday sent a message of sympathy to Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc in relation to the natural disasters.

The same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also extended their sympathy to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh.

According to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, flooding that began on October 6 had killed 111 people and left 22 missing nationwide as of 7am on October 21. Some 371ha of rice paddies have been submerged, 7,126ha of crops damaged, and over 700,000 heads of cattle and poultry killed or swept away.

The floods also inflicted substantial damage upon local agriculture, irrigation, property and transport infrastructure. — VNS