Cash assistance for older persons affected by Typhoon Yagi in Viet Nam

In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi made history, becoming the strongest typhoon in the past 30 years in the East Sea and 70 years on Viet Nam’s mainland, severely impacting 26 northern provinces and causing immense human and economic losses. The disaster claimed 344 deaths and missing persons, 1,976 injuries, damaged 260,000 houses and 1,900 schools, destroyed nearly 350,000 hectares of crops, damaged 8,100 aquaculture cages and 31,000 hectares of aquaculture, and killed over 4.5 million livestock (including poultry). Hundreds of hectares of agricultural land were eroded and scoured. The total economic damage was estimated at over 83 trillion VND[1] (about 3.32 billion USD). Critical infrastructure across the region sustained widespread damage.

For the first time, UNFPA Viet Nam incorporated cash assistance into its humanitarian response for older persons, enabling recipients to access basic social services and purchase essential items based on their unique needs. This initiative also marked the first time the VAE was engaged in cash assistance, enabling grassroots-level outreach and support. This approach ensured dignity, autonomy, and timely relief for one of the most vulnerable segments of the population. By building on the existing systems and local networks, “standing on the shoulders of giants”, the intervention was delivered swiftly and effectively, in line with UNFPA’s CVA guidelines.