The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD2 million grant to assist the Government of Vietnam in providing emergency and humanitarian services to residents affected by the super Typhoon Yagi in the northern region of the country.

“We highly commend the extraordinary efforts of the Government and people of Vietnam in responding to the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi,” said ADB Country Director for Vietnam Shantanu Chakraborty. “ADB’s grant will support wider government efforts to deliver immediate humanitarian relief. ADB is also committed to working with the government on post-disaster recovery in the affected provinces to build back better and improve resilience, which is critical in the face of accelerating natural hazards.”

The grant is funded by the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund, which aims to provide support to ADB’s developing member countries affected by major disasters triggered by natural hazards.

Typhoon Yagi, the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades, made landfall on the northern coast of the country on September 7. As of September 24, 337 people have been killed or reported missing and another 1,935 people injured, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority.

The typhoon and subsequent flooding and landslides caused widespread damage in 26 provinces, with an estimated 37 million people living in the affected areas. Initial economic loss across northern part of Vietnam is estimated at around USD2.6 billion.