Typhoon Molave Hits SOS Vietnam

Heavy rains, catastrophic floods and landslides have affected more than a million people in Vietnam this month. Typhoon Molave, one of the biggest storms to hit the country in two decades, made landfall on October 28 which triggered more landslides and destruction.

During Typhoon Molave, children and staff at the SOS Children’s Village Hue took shelter in a safe house as a precaution. Other SOS Children’s Villages in Da Nang, Dong Hoi, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang also braced for the typhoon, but there was no damage beyond small fallen trees and debris.

Last week’s rains and flooding caused minor structural damage at some SOS Children’s Villages. A tree fell at the SOS Children’s Village Da Nang, slightly damaging a rooftop. Elsewhere, in Dong Hoi, flood waters entered family houses up to 40 centimetres, forcing children and caregivers to move to the second floor of a youth house building.

Le Minh Giang, national director of SOS Children’s Villages Vietnam, said: “I express my deepest condolences to the people of Vietnam who have lost their lives and homes during these storms, floods and landslides. The emergency response personnel, who are working hard to save lives, are in our thoughts and prayers. These terrible floods come on top of a pandemic that has upended so many lives. We at SOS Children’s Villages are reaching out to children and families in the community to prevent the spread of COVID-19, even as they wait for their lives to get back to normal after these floods.”

Canadians wishing to help vulnerable children are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a Village or make a Donation today to our COVID-19 response.