Rescue forces work with local authorities to evacuate people in isolated areas to safe places in the central province of Hà Tĩnh. Photo taken at 5:30 pm, October 20, 2020. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has decided to allocate VNĐ89.11 billion (US$3.86 million) sourced from Central Budget reserves for five central provinces hit hard by natural disasters in October to help address housing damage.

The beneficiaries consist of Nghệ An (VNĐ1.26 billion), Hà Tĩnh (VNĐ8.43 billion), Quảng Bình (VNĐ4.89 billion), Quảng Nam (VNĐ69.81 billion), and Bình Định (VNĐ4.72 billion).

The support is provided under the Government’s Resolution No 165/NQ-CP, issued on November 5 last year, on financial aid for some central and Central Highlands localities to tackle housing damage caused by natural disasters in October.

In the decision, the PM assigned the People’s Committees of the provinces to allocate funding from the central budget, their local budgets, and other legal financial sources in line with regulations.

They were also asked to ensure the support is used in a timely, effective, and transparent manner and benefits the targeted groups while preventing wrongdoings and strictly handling violations.

Back-to-back storms and prolonged flooding exacted a devastating toll on the central and Central Highlands regions in October.

Natural disasters claimed 280 lives and caused total losses of approximately VNĐ29.9 trillion in Việt Nam from the beginning of 2020 to mid-November, according to a report by the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

They also injured 856 people and left 66 people missing. Torrential rain, floods, and landslides destroyed 3,420 houses, damaged over 327,700, and submerged nearly 509,800, affecting the livelihoods of millions of people. — VNS