Ha Noi, Viet Nam.  A high-level meeting and working session was held today between the Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Mr. Le Quoc Doanh, FAO Representative acting interim in Viet Nam Ms. Rana Flowers and the Ambassador of Belgium Mr. Paul Jansen to focus on emergency support for storm-hit central Viet Nam.

In particular, the trio focused on the resumption of agricultural production following the severe storms and floods to hit the region in October.

During the meeting, Ms. Flowers outlined the funding support mobilized by FAO, including USD 587,000 from the European Union (EU), to provide assistance in the form of cash transfers for food and basic non-food needs to households in Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces. 

Other funding streams included USD 300,000 from Belgium through the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities (SFERA), to support the recovery of livestock production of vulnerable smallholder farming households impacted by the recent floods in Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces.

The funding, in the form of a cash transfer programme, will be implemented from November 2020 to April 2021. FAO has worked directly with the People's Committees of these three provinces on how to receive and distribute the funding.  Supported by the People's Committees of the three provinces, a decision to approve the funding has been issued. The respective provincial Red Cross Association has been assigned to implement the activities. FAO will sign contracts with post offices of the provinces to send money directly to beneficiary households according to the list provided by the Provincial Red Cross.

In addition, FAO also collaborated with the Department of Livestock Production to organize 13 livestock production training courses for households in the three provinces.

Vice Minister Doanh expressed his deep gratitude to FAO, the Belgian Government and the EU for their timely support to the three provinces to overcome the consequences of these natural disasters. In addition, the Vice Minister asked FAO and international partners to continue to accompany and support MARD in preparing disaster response plans, ensuring food security and people’s living standards and livelihoods.

Leaders and experts from the International Cooperation Department and Viet Nam Disaster and Management Authorities also participated in the meeting.