Community shelters are practical projects in efforts to respond to natural disasters and adapt to climate change in vulnerable areas.
Attending the ceremony were Mr. Nao-ki I-to - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam and his wife; Ms. Kendra Rinas - Head of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM); Ms. Silvia Danailov - Chief Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF); Mr. Nguyen Truong Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.
Mr. Nao-ki I-to - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam spoke at the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Truong Son said: This project is part of the international emergency aid to overcome the consequences of natural disasters in some northern provinces severely damaged by Typhoon Yagi and floods, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in coordination with the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, with valuable funding from the Government of Japan. “We especially appreciate the international support model that has been implemented methodically, effectively, and with people at the center, and hope that this model will be replicated in many other localities in the near future,” shared Mr. Nguyen Truong Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.
Mr. Nguyen Truong Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control, spoke at the ceremony.
The shelter is not only a safe shelter for people during the storm season, but also acts as a community living space, contributing to strengthening solidarity, raising awareness of natural disaster prevention and preserving local cultural identity.
In Cao Bang, the delegation visited Kim Cuc commune, a locality classified as a particularly disadvantaged area, where they witnessed first-hand the impact of Typhoon Yagi in 2024 on people’s lives. They also witnessed UNICEF’s work to improve access to clean water, sanitation, child protection and psychological support for women and children. In local schools, the delegation participated in painting events and traditional games with primary school children, focusing on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. The delegation also visited a UNICEF-supported psychological counselling clinic.
Some pictures at the groundbreaking ceremony:
Typhoon Yagi – one of the most destructive storms in the past 70 years – has caused severe damage in the northern mountainous provinces. In Cao Bang alone, the storm killed 55 people, destroyed nearly 2,000 houses and left more than 1,060 households homeless.
Earlier on the afternoon of April 8, 2025, a working delegation of the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef); the International Organization for Migration (IOM) worked with the People's Committee of Cao Bang province and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Cao Bang province.
Accordingly, Cao Bang province received aid to overcome Typhoon Yagi worth a total of 326,844.608 USD in goods and 2,127,348.07 USD in cash from countries and international organizations, including IOM and Unicef.
IOM activities in Cao Bang (Japanese capital): Distributed 1,100 boxes of goods (1.7 billion VND) to 4,965 people in 8 communes; and built 01 shelter in Choi village, Dinh Phung commune (1.55 billion VND), expected to be completed in May, ensuring safe shelter for 150 people.