Silver Spring, Maryland—When Typhoon Xangsane made landfall in central Vietnam on October 1, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) responded immediately. Working with partner organizations to meet emergency and long-term needs of survivors, ADRA is implementing long-term recovery projects designed to help survivors recover from the effects of the catastrophe.

Of the four coastal provinces in south-central Vietnam most severely affected by the disaster, the island of Ly Son in the province of Quang Ngai was the most heavily hit. The island, home to nearly 19,000 residents, is one of the poorest districts in its province and is located approximately 20 miles off shore from the town of Quang Ngai. When a typhoon strikes, Ly Son can easily become isolated due to heavy waves and limited communication systems. Every year, between six to ten typhoons hit the island.

ADRA has coordinated its relief efforts with those of partner organizations, who are providing initial emergency relief services such as supplemental feeding, clean water, shelter rehabilitation, sanitation and hygiene, and addressing health and environmental concerns. ADRA's long-term relief efforts will provide housing support, boost the island's agricultural recovery, and train the islanders in emergency management.

ADRA's housing support packages, containing roofing sheets and construction materials, will help 107 families repair their homes. Approximately 535 individuals will directly benefit from this intervention.

ADRA worked closely with local authorities on the provincial, district and community level to identify the communities most affected. The households that have sustained the most severe losses will receive first priority, followed by households with the greatest number of those considered vulnerable, such as children under five, the elderly, the disabled, and pregnant or nursing mothers.

"Nearly 100 percent of the resident farmers' rice crops were destroyed by the typhoon," said Steven Cooper, country director for the ADRA Office in Vietnam. "ADRA Vietnam is working to support island farmers with seeds and/or seedlings distribution as they prepare to restart their crops in late October or early November," he finished. Approximately 551 households—or 2,755 individuals—will benefit from the agricultural recovery project.

In addition, by conducting disaster mitigation workshops, ADRA is preparing the islanders to protect themselves in emergency situations. Three teams of 20 Ly Son residents will be trained in the basic skills necessary for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. "This kind for training is essential for the island residents, given the fact that they are especially vulnerable to natural disasters, specifically typhoons and flooding," explained Cooper.

The project is worth more than $50,000 and is scheduled to run for six months. It is funded in partnership by ADRA offices in Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Norway.

Xangsane, which means "elephant" in the Lao language, also caused severe damage in the Philippines. According to NASA, Vietnamese authorities have called the typhoon the largest storm to hit the country in several decades.

ADRA has been active in Vietnam since 1989, working in the areas of health care, education, water and sanitation, economic development, and emergency management. In the current year, ADRA Vietnam has benefited nearly 50,000 people.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

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Media Contact: Nadia McGill ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.5145 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org

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