Though the attention of the media often focuses on direct impact of natural disasters, like the number killed or houses destroyed, less attention is given to after effects. Often times, the destruction that comes after a disaster, such as disease, famine, job losses, and depletion of natural resources, can be much more devastating than the direct impact of the disaster itself.
For Vietnam, the aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana is bringing up some of those worries. In the Quan Nam Province, there has been reports of 335 people with diarrhea, 1,300 with pink eyes, 4,200 with flu and 23,000 with skin disease. Schools still remain closed. In Hue, 98% of the city’s wells have been contaminated due the flooding.
Clinics and hospitals struggle to treat victims that are pouring in. The issue is that if victims are not treated in a timely manner, diseases may spread to an unmanageable scale.
Famine and thirst are also becoming increasing problems. The cost of a clean bottle of water is 17,000 dong, or about $1. In a country where a large number of the population make about $3 a day, clean water is not an option. Food prices have rocketed as well in regions where the flood have destroyed much of the farm land and crop. The price of vegetables have risen to 10,000 dongs a bunch.
Recovering from the flood will be a long term effort and the cannot be done alone. The US have contributed $600K to recovery efforts, but that is only the beginning of the effort. Take part in getting Vietnam back on its feet. East Meets West Foundation is putting into action long term aid for Vietnam. More on their efforts here.
Pictures from Vietnam
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