In October 2016, flooding from heavy rains occurred in the Central Region of Vietnam. 35 people died from the disaster and more than 25 people were injured. Over 130,000 houses were damaged in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Hue Provinces. Habitat for Humanity Vietnam, with the financial support from Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR), ZeShan Foundation, JOC and Walmart, responded quickly and provided Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) kits to over 15,000 affected families.
Together with our local partners, Habitat for Humanity Vietnam selected the most vulnerable families and provided them with kits which included ceramic water filters, bottles of Chloramine B and a 25-liter plastic bucket for measuring water. The kits helped to provide clean, potable water to families and re-established decent and hygienic living conditions as quickly as possible, minimizing health risks, the spread of water-borne diseases, and loss of livelihood. The kit was intended to provide clean water for two to three months while families recovered from the disaster, but can be used indefinitely.
Habitat staff also conducted trainings and provided educational materials regarding the appropriate utilization of the kit contents as well as general information regarding access to clean water. Posters were created and distributed with the aim that the broader community will gain information illustrating how to protect family’s health through clean water and proper sanitation facilities.
