Thousands of children in northern Vietnam are facing significant challenges in returning to school after flash floods and landslides wreaked havoc in the region.
According to the AFP, homes have been damaged, crops destroyed, and many communities remain isolated, according to warnings issued by Save the Children on Tuesday.
The northern region of Vietnam has experienced an exceptionally wet summer, with mountainous areas in the northwest bearing the brunt of the heavy rains.
Since early July, the region has been hit by continuous downpours, resulting in widespread flash floods.
Vietnam’s General Statistics Office reported that nearly 29,000 homes have been damaged, and 90,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed as of late last month.
The province of Son La has been particularly hard-hit, with approximately 1.3 million people affected by the disaster, according to Save the Children.
“The road to school is very rough, with landslides and broken bridges making it hard to travel. Children must cross streams to get to school,” Ha Cong Minh, a principal in Son La province, said in a statement.
In Son La alone, 2,670 homes and 29 school buildings have been damaged. Local disaster officials have also confirmed that 11 people have lost their lives in the area.
Le Thi Thanh Huong, Country Director of Save the Children Vietnam, expressed concern over the situation, stating, “The recovery will take many months, and without immediate intervention, these children could face numerous dangers.”
The charity estimates that around 4,500 children will face “safety challenges” as they attempt to return to school in September.
The financial toll of the floods has been significant, with damages amounting to roughly $85 million in the first seven months of the year, nearly double the amount reported for the same period last year.
Vietnam’s General Statistics Office also noted that 91 people were either killed or reported missing due to adverse weather conditions during this time.
Between June and November, Vietnam frequently experiences heavy rains, which often lead to flooding and landslides. Scientists have cautioned that the intensity and frequency of such extreme weather events are increasing globally due to climate change.
