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![]() Monday, November 8, 1999 Published at 08:44 GMT ![]() ![]() World: Asia-Pacific ![]() Aid reaches Vietnam flood victims ![]() Up to one million homes have been damaged by the floods ![]() Emergency supplies are finally reaching the areas worst hit by Vietnam's recent flooding, officials say. Helicopters and trucks filled with food and other supplies have pushed further into the devastated provinces. But National Highway One, south of the worst-hit province of Thua Thien Hue, remains closed, stranding truckloads of relief supplies in Danang. The mountain pass north of Danang was hit by a major landslide last week, and road crews have been working around the clock to blow up massive boulders and build a temporary bridge where the highway was completely washed away. The only railway link between the north and the south of country is still closed.
State television has shown starving villagers mobbing military helicopters and Red Cross vessels carrying relief supplies. Better weather is forecast for Monday and water levels have dropped significantly in most areas, although some parts of the province of Quang Binh are still covered in almost a metre of water. On Sunday, army planes delivered 1.6 tonnes of medication to Hue, home to nearly half the population of Thua Thien Hue province. Another 70 tonnes of food, tents and blankets are stockpiled at Hanoi airport waiting to be delivered on Monday. Widespread damage
The authorities are also concerned about the spread of disease, and a lack of drinking water. Hue's hospital is full, and facing the prospect of a diarrhoea epidemic. The floods caused a trail of destruction estimated at $50m since last week. Radio Voice of Vietnam says about one million homes were damaged. The Red Cross has launched an international appeal for $3m, and street stalls have been set up nationwide to collect donations for victims. Pham The Duyet, a member of the elite politburo, said the ruling Communist Party had appealed to the whole nation and to the international community for aid. Former colonial power France has already offered funds, officials have said. ![]() |
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