Vietnamese diocese appeals for flood aid

Qui Nhon Diocese in central Vietnam has appealed for emergency relief for victims of severe flooding in the central provinces.

Floods caused by torrential rains since mid October have inundated many places in 10 central provinces.

More than 110 people have died or are missing, while at least 121 have been injured. The floods have also destroyed 316,720 homes, 86,760 hectares of crops and countless bridges, schools and other public places, according to the national flood and storm control committee reports.

Binh Dinh is the worst-hit province with 34 dead people and damage totaling $32 million with more than 32,000 hectares of crops destroyed.

Father Phan The Vinh, priest of Trung Ai parish in An Nhon district, told ucanews.com that floods have inundated the area five times washing away all crops, livestock and belongings of local people. Last week many people moved to the parish house to avoid being washed away. They also took their cattle to the church for safety.

The priest has provided clean water, instant noodles and rice to local people, most of them farmers.

"They are in need of basic food and water," Father Vinh said.

Father Vinh said he is calling on people from elsewhere to provide basic provisions to people who could not afford to buy seed rice for cultivation and will face severe lack of food in the coming months.

Father Anthony Nguyen Xuan Thuyen (in black shirt), assistant priest of Tan Dinh parish, and two sisters travelled by boat delivering food to flood survivors in Binh Dinh province on Dec 17. (Photo courtesy of www.gpquinhon.org)

Source: wucanews.com

(December 22, 2016)