Hundreds of people have died in disasters caused by a succession of typhoons and tropical storms in Southeast Asia this year during the severe monsoon season in Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos.
Search and rescue and aid efforts continue under difficult conditions in many flooded settlements in countries where the rains affected millions of people, while meteorological units have warned that heavy rains will continue to affect the region for some time. It has been reported that at least 292 people died in Vietnam, 384 in Myanmar and 46 in Thailand in the disasters caused by the rains, which have increased their effect in Southeast Asia since mid-August with Typhoon Yagi.
VIETNAMESE
The extent of the disaster is becoming clearer, especially with the decrease in rainfall in Vietnam, the country most affected by Typhoon Yagi last week.
The latest report released by authorities said at least 292 people were reported dead and 38 missing.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said in a statement regarding the disasters: “We have tried our best under the current circumstances, we have sought the best solutions. But no loss can compensate for the lives lost and the suffering of the people.”
In a statement made by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated that 35 countries that sent international humanitarian aid packages following the natural disasters in the country were thanked and a total of 16 million dollars in aid revenue was obtained.
MYANMAR
Following the coup in Myanmar in 2021, a junta government took power and civil unrest continues in the country, where international communication and aid efforts are disrupted. A report published by the junta administration on Saturday reported that a total of 384 people lost their lives and 89 people were still missing in rain-related disasters across the country. In a rare foreign aid deal last week, the Myanmar junta administration accepted 10 tons of material aid from India, including dry rations, clothing and medicine.
On the other hand, in the report published by the United Nations for Myanmar, it was stated that it was suspected that 887 thousand people in the country could have been affected by Typhoon Yagi alone.
THAILAND
In Thailand, where rainfall continues to be heavy, especially in the northern regions, the death toll has risen to 46. According to the latest report published by the Thailand Disaster Prevention Department (DDPM), 46 people were reported dead and 24 injured in the disasters that affected more than 160,000 households across the country. In Thailand, where a total of six provinces have been declared flood zones, search and rescue and relief efforts are being carried out using boats, drones and helicopters in many settlements where land transportation has completely stopped.
The report published recently by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that 6 million children were affected by the disasters in Southeast Asia, while drawing attention to the climate crisis experienced in the region in recent years.
“Vulnerable children and families across the region are facing the harshest consequences of the devastation left by Typhoon Yagi,” said June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific. “The increase in weather events and their consequences in Southeast Asia, where the climate crisis is acute, is a sad reminder that children are the most affected by such disasters.” (İHA)