CARE’s emergency teams in Vietnam are preparing to respond to deadly flooding in the country’s north, which has so far left dozens dead and thousands homeless.

CARE Australia’s Emergency Response Manager, Stefan Knollmayer, said emergency teams were on standby ready to be deployed to affected areas.

“This is some of the worst flooding we’ve seen in Vietnam and the situation could still get a lot worse,” he warned.

Mr Knollmayer said tropical storm Khanun, currently over the northern tip of the Philippines, threatened to regain typhoon strength before moving into northern Vietnam.

“Tropical storm Khanun would exacerbate the flood disaster that is unfolding and would be the third disaster to strike Vietnam in a month.

“People are still recovering from Typhoon Doksuri, which struck just a few weeks ago and caused widespread destruction of infrastructure and agriculture.”

Mr Knollmayer said the top priority now was to support those sheltering in evacuation centres.

“People will need basic supplies like food, cooking equipment, blankets and water purification tablets.”

“It’s also vital that people have mosquito nets as we know where there’s water, there’s an ever present risk of mosquito-borne disease.”

CARE started working in Vietnam in 1954 and has had projects in almost all of Vietnam’s 64 provinces. CARE’s current work focuses on ensuring long-term positive change for marginalised groups, especially women, while also delivering humanitarian and emergency assistance in times of crisis.

Donations to support CARE’s emergency responses can be made a care.org.au/emergency

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