UPDATE SEPT. 13: The Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 plane departs for Vietnam on Friday, Sept. 13, carrying 19 metric tons of relief supplies for families reeling from Typhoon Yagi. Materials include water filters, solar lights, and kitchen kits—enough to support 3,000 families. Please pray for Vietnam as the death toll continues to rise, and for Samaritan’s Purse staff as this vital aid is distributed.
Catastrophic floods and landslides triggered by Typhoon Yagi have killed nearly 200 people and displaced many thousands of residents in Vietnam since the cyclone made landfall last Saturday. Sustained wind speeds near 100 mph ripped apart homes and businesses in Yen Bai Province, while torrential downpours caused rivers to overflow and massive boulders to fall in the mountainous region.
Though the storm has passed, floodwaters have yet to subside and many dozens of people are still missing. Northern Vietnam has not seen a storm of this magnitude in decades.
Samaritan’s Purse staff are on the ground in Yen Bai, wading through flooded streets and neighborhoods to distribute emergency equipment to shaken residents in the area. Just days after the storm, we have provided 500 people with emergency equipment such as lifejackets, flashlights, and whistles. Samaritan’s Purse is working towards additional response opportunities, aiming to meet area needs such as clean water, food, and non-food items.
“I have lost everything,” said Phuong, a local resident. “The water rose fast to the roof at midnight. The only thing I could do was to escape and save my life. Everything is still submerged.”
Phuong is just one of many people uprooted by Typhoon Yagi to receive emergency supplies from Samaritan’s Purse.
Vietnam has faced a barrage of severe storms and heavy flooding over the last months. Samaritan’s Purse has responded several times over the past weeks, providing critical items, including food, blankets, mosquito nets, and hygiene items. We have also distributed construction cement to help repair damaged homes. In the wake of Typhoon Yagi, our response continues.
Please pray for the people of northern Vietnam reeling from this devastating storm. Pray for Samaritan’s Purse staff in the country as our response begins.
Samaritan's Purse responds to humanitarian crises with physical aid and a message of spiritual hope for victims of natural disasters, famine, poverty, and war. Your gift will allow us to share Jesus' love through clean water, food, shelter, medical supplies, personnel, and other aid.