VND 1.1 trillion in emergency support for Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong

At 2:00 am on 23 November (South Africa time, equivalent to 7:00 am in Hanoi), speaking from Johannesburg, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an online emergency meeting with ministries, agencies and localities to assess flooding impacts and direct ongoing response and recovery efforts in the central region.

After hearing reports from relevant bodies, the Prime Minister assigned the Deputy Prime Ministers to continue on-site inspections, supervision and coordination with local authorities in disaster response and recovery. He emphasised that top priority must be given to protecting lives, reviewing all isolated areas and ensuring no community remains unreachable.

Localities were instructed to arrange funerals for the deceased, provide medical care for the injured and support families with fatalities or missing persons. Essential supplies must be delivered promptly, ensuring no one lacks food or clothing. The Ministry of National Defence was directed to accelerate the production of clothing for affected residents.

Responding to local proposals, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Finance to provide VND 1.1 trillion in immediate emergency assistance. Additional food support includes 2.000 tonnes of rice for Dak Lak, 1.000 tonnes for Gia Lai and 1.000 tonnes for Lam Dong. Khanh Hoa will receive additional allocations if needed. He emphasised the need for efficient, transparent and thrifty use of all assistance.

The armed forces and police must continue to mobilise maximum personnel for disaster response, recovery and support for residents. Military units under Military Regions 5 and 7, local divisions, the Ministry of Public Security, the Youth Union and the Veterans’ Association were tasked with helping repair homes and clean the environment.

Regarding logistics, the Prime Minister directed that goods be transported from the nearest locations. If necessary, air transport, railways and other means should be deployed. Helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles may be used to access isolated areas.

Ensuring market stability and preventing shortages

According to reports, around 1.900 houses were destroyed or washed away. The Prime Minister required all houses to be rebuilt by 31 January 2026. Localities must prepare detailed plans and apply flexible, creative approaches. For damaged houses, repairs must be completed before 30 November 2025.

In education, the Ministry of Education and Training must work with localities to assess damaged schools, report by 30 November and begin restoration swiftly. Textbooks must be provided to affected students.

The Ministry of Health must assess damage to hospitals and clinics and submit handling plans by 30 November. Local authorities must clean and disinfect facilities to stabilise operations.

To support business recovery, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Finance to roll out tax, fee and insurance support policies. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment must secure plant varieties and livestock breeds. The State Bank of Vietnam must instruct credit institutions to reschedule, defer or extend loan repayments and introduce a credit package to support production recovery.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade must direct the Vietnam Electricity Group to restore power for production and daily life, and ensure market stability without shortages or unreasonable price hikes.

The Ministry of Construction must urgently restore transport infrastructure under emergency mechanisms. The Ministry of Science and Technology must instruct Viettel, VNPT and Mobifone to restore telecommunications services as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister also ordered a review of reservoir operations and research into long-term solutions, including resettlement for residents in high-risk areas.

Stressing that “the people need us most in times of difficulty, and we must put ourselves in their position,” the Prime Minister called for the highest sense of responsibility across the entire system to ensure fast and effective recovery.

Senior leaders of ministries and agencies must closely monitor the situation, act within their authority or report to higher levels when issues exceed their mandate. Provincial Party Secretaries and Chairpersons must stay on the ground, directing responses at critical locations to stabilise residents’ lives quickly. Localities must clearly identify focal points for receiving support to ensure consistent and effective distribution.