Viet Nam: UN sends assessment teams to regions struck by typhoon

United Nations agencies today sent three joint assessment missions to regions of Viet Nam struck by Typhoon Xangsane, which damaged nearly 230,000 houses and forced the evacuation of some 40,000 people.

According to local authorities, 30 people were killed and 269 others injured when the typhoon made landfall on Sunday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. More than 6,250 houses were totally destroyed, over 785 boats were sunk or damaged, and total loss is estimated at some $625 million.

Although no international assistance has yet been requested, the UN agencies sent the assessment missions to Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam so that an action plan can be drawn up in consultation with the Government.

OCHA remains in close contact with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) office in Hanoi.