Jesuit Mission is working with local Catholic Church groups to provide urgent emergency response to families affected by severe floods in Central Vietnam. Over 600,000 people have been directly affected by the floods, with an estimated 100,000 houses fully submerged.

The torrential rains started on October 13, causing some of the worst floods ever experienced in the provinces of Quang Tri, Quang Binh and Ha Tinh. It is believed water discharged by two large hydropower dams the next day, without adequate warning to communities already battling the heavy rains, added to the severity.

“We have been in constant contact with our Jesuit companions on the ground in Central Vietnam and have already pledged US$20,000 to support immediate emergency response to the affected families,” says Jesuit Mission Rector Fr Trung Nguyen.

Fr Trung, a Vietnamese refugee who has lived in Australia for 33 years, notes: “This situation is particularly troubling as the areas hit hardest are some of the poorest villages in Central Vietnam.

Much livestock has drowned, and whole fields of crops have been submerged in rapidly flowing floodwaters, washing away families’ much-needed food supplies and sources of income,” Fr Trung adds. “These families were already vulnerable and now many are left with nothing.

“We are working with local Jesuit priests and the Church network, including Caritas Vietnam. They have asked for help with providing drinking water and food parcels for the many people affected.

“Once the flood waters have receded we plan to provide livestock such as chicken and piglets so that families can begin to rebuild their lives and means of income.

”I ask our Australian community to pray for those affected by the floods. We continue to hold these families in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. We also pray that Typhoon Sarika, anticipated to strike soon, does not directly hit these three provinces and cause further carnage.” [Jesuit Mission Australia]